Veteran Springbok lock Bakkies Botha triggered a verbal storm on both sides of the Tasman Sea on Tuesday, as the Bok enforcer warned New Zealand that last year's watershed Tri-Nations victory in Dunedin had galvanised South Africa.

The Boks and All Blacks go head-to-head in a decisive Tri-Nations Test in Hamilton on Saturday - with South Africa setting up camp on the Australian Gold Coast and New Zealand at the Test venue in Hamilton.

Feisty All Black scrumhalf Jimmy Cowan hit back at Botha saying that New Zealand were relishing a tough battle in Hamilton on Saturday.

The All Blacks made two changes to their starting line-up to the team that beat Australia three weeks ago with Dan Carter staying at flyhalf, and Stephen Donald starting at outside centre besides Ma'a Nonu.

After convincing back-to-back victories in South Africa and a first ever Test win in Dunedin last year, strongman Botha said in Surfer's Paradise that the Boks were approaching the game with confidence.

"That win in Dunedin broke the ice," Botha told the media at the team's base in Australia.

"It planted a seed in our minds and you tell yourself you can do it in New Zealand. At the end whistle in Dunedin, it was such an amazing feeling and the guys want that again," said the big No.4.

The colossal lock said that on the rugby field "you don't see pain in people's bodies, you see it in their eyes and when I see pain in an opponent's eyes it makes me happy".

"Bring it on," was the message from Cowan, emphasising in Hamilton how eager the All Blacks were to come from behind and snatch the Tri-Nations trophy from South Africa's grasp.

"I don't want to give too much away but this week we are going to meet fire with fire and see what happens really. It's my kind of Test and yeah, we're looking forward to it," said the scrumhalf.

All Black skipper Richie McCaw said his team had taken heart from Australia's ability to put South Africa under pressure in their 21-6 win in Brisbane on Saturday.

"The physical battle is pretty important in these Tests and how the Wallabies played showed that you can put them under pressure and when they do they make mistakes, just like everyone else. I don't think South Africa were fatigued, just not up for the game as they were the week before [in Perth].

"I'm certain they will sort out aspects of their game, just like the Wallabies did. They were desperate and physical and got stuck in and forced mistakes and that was the lesson for us," said the All Black skipper.

McCaw defended his South African counterpart, John Smit, against criticism of his scrummaging and that he is not a prop after he was worked over by Australian loosehead prop Benn Robinson.

"He [Robinson] did well, no doubt about that. It just shows from earlier in the season that you can turn it around. It takes very little to get it dead right and a bit of confidence flowing.

"He [Smit] is the one who looks like he is getting done, but the whole scrum can contribute to that as well. The Wallabies had confidence up and put them under pressure, but I am sure they will address that this week and get their stuff sorted out.

"From our perspective, hopefully we can win our own ball and put them under pressure," said McCaw.

The spotlight has also focussed on Welsh referee Nigel Owens, who blew the game between the two sides in Durban earlier in the Tri-Nations.

This follows Springbok coach Peter de Villiers's criticism of the IRB and referees saying he was wasting his time consulting them over decisions he disagreed with.

"I don't want to get too caught there, but you can never blame the ref, who is doing his best. Sometimes you get poor decisions and sometimes good decisions.

"It is just the way the game goes and that is just a poor excuse really if you are going to blame the referee. You win some and you lose some so it is just the nature of the game really. You take the good with the bad," said Cowan.

Meanwhile, De Villiers has irked residents in Hamilton with his decision to keep the Springboks at the Gold Coast until Thursday and his comments labelling the New Zealand town boring.

This was front page news in the Waikato Times on Tuesday and local players were asked what there was to do in Hamilton.

"I've really enjoyed Hamilton, the weather and our preparation has been positive. We are pleased to be here and are progressing nicely," said All Black coach Graham Henry.

"You could see from their attitude in Perth that South Africa were on edge. It was the reverse in Brisbane, a pretty important result for us as it kept us in the race.

"But certainly there will be a change of attitude come Saturday night. We've played Ireland and Canada here and The New Zealand Maori a few years ago [against the British Lions] was a special night.

"There were a few people here that night and I think Rugby Park makes a great venue. It's one of the best and great for spectators who are close. That is motivational for the players with a 33 000 crowd," said Henry.

365

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