Everything will become clear in the next two weeks but there is no reason to believe the South Africans have drifted from the heights reached last year, according to the New Zealand Herald's Gregor Paul.
"They employ a simple game plan that begins with their set-piece excellence and physicality at the tackled ball. They take few risks, preferring to pressure opponents into mistakes.
"It would be a surprise if they deviated too far from their successful kick and chase formula, although it is expected they will be more willing to use their backs when they feel it is on. They have no obvious weaknesses and returning John Smit to hooker will only strengthen their scrum.
"Really, the hope to which everyone clings is that Smit,Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, Schalk Burger and a few other senior players fall into a steep decline in the next 12 months - that physically they start packing it in and mentally, they lose their desire.
"But even if the edge does come off some of their senior performers, they have shown a remarkable ability to blood new players."
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