The All Blacks begin their unprecedented eight-match tour of South Africa against the Stormers at Cape Town Stadium on Friday, with kick-off at 19:00.
The match is the first meeting between the sides in the professional era and launches a month-long visit that will see New Zealand face all four of South Africa’s United Rugby Championship franchises before a four-Test Freedom Cup series against the Springboks.
New Zealand did tour South Africa in 1996, but did not play against the Stormers – who were then known as Western Province – or any of the country’s current URC teams.
Western Province have previously recorded two notable victories over the All Blacks, winning 10-3 in 1928 and 12-11 in 1976.
The Western Cape also has a particular link with New Zealand rugby through Tony Brown, the former All Black fly-half who represented the Stormers in 2008 and is now an assistant coach with the Springboks.
All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie said the opening match would be used to build momentum following his side’s recent Nations Championship campaign.
“We want to build on what we’ve done in the past three games,” Rennie said.
“We’ve had a bit more time together, and that’s been good.
“There’s some combinations we’re testing against a team that’s been competitive in the URC who will be excited about the potential of an international scalp, so that makes them dangerous.”
Rennie added that the fixture was primarily intended to prepare New Zealand for the forthcoming Tests against South Africa.
“This is only about us getting better; we’ve got a Test match around the corner, and we know we’ll need to be better against them than we were in the three Tests.”
Although the Stormers squad does not include several Springboks, Rennie rejected the idea that New Zealand would be facing a weakened team.
“It’s still a pretty strong Stormers side we feel,” he said.
“There’s no shortage of talent and depth in this country.
“The old days of playing a French Barbarians or a South African XV that want to soften you up ahead of a Test series probably changed.
“We have a massive amount of respect for South African rugby, and we’re well aware of the quality of team we are up against, and we’ll give them that respect.”
The All Blacks are also expecting significant support from local fans. New Zealand sides have traditionally attracted a loyal following in Cape Town, where the visitors have often enjoyed a warm reception.
“It’s been awesome. It’s my eighth time staying in this hotel,” Rennie said.
“We’ve played the Stormers a lot when I was with the Chiefs, and the support we got was always fantastic.
“I know supporters of all New Zealand sides came through here and very much like the All Blacks.
“The crowd we saw last Friday at the welcome event were very passionate, and it will be great to have those voices and numbers behind us this week to start the tour off.”
Friday’s contest revives the traditional format of extended tours between the two rugby nations for the first time since the professional era began.
The All Blacks are tipped to win by five points.
Stormers team
15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Ruhan Nel (captain), 12 Jonathan Roche, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Yaqeen Ahmed, 9 Imad Khan, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Hacjivah Dayimani, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Connor Evans, 4 Adre Smith, 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Andre-Hugo Venter, 1 Vernon Matongo
Replacements: 16 JJ Kotze, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Ruan Ackermann, 20 Keke Morabe, 21 Wandile Mlaba, 22 Dewaldt Duvenage, 23 Wandisile Simelane.
All Blacks team
15 Josh Moorby, 14 Leroy Carter, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Anton Leinert-Brown, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Cortez Ratima, 8 Peter Lakai, 7 Anton Segner, 6 Simon Parker, 5 Patrick Tuipulotu (captain), 4 Fabian Holland, 3 Pasilio Tosi, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 George Bower
Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Ollie Norris, 18 Siale Lauaki, 19 Sam Darry, 20 Ethan Blackadder, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Josh Jacomb, 23 Caleb Clarke
Referee: Karl Dickson (England)
Assistant referees: Matthew Carley (England), Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
TMO: Andrew Jackson (England)
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