John Smit says his Springboks are braced for an "irritated" All Blacks team in the Tri Nations opener at Eden Park on Saturday night. The Sydney Morning Herald's Duncan Johnston reports.
"The touring skipper believes South Africa's whitewash of the All Blacks over three tests last year will have New Zealand primed for revenge.
Smit fronted a large media gathering in Auckland today where he left little doubt about the challenge he felt his side faced in defending their Tri Nations title this season, especially in a campaign they open in New Zealand with back-to-back tests in Auckland and Wellington.
"The All Blacks are going to be as competitive as they were last year, if not more so because of the fact that they didn't win it last year," Smit said.
"They are the team that has won the Tri Nations the most out of all three of us. Not winning it really irritates them.
"I'm pretty sure they are going to rock up pretty worked up and ready to go on Saturday."
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