Wednesday 21 October 2015 12:46, UK
Conrad Smith says World Cup semi-final opponents South Africa are New Zealand's "ultimate rivals".
The two sides meet in a World Cup for the first time since the All Backs won a quarter-final showdown 12 years ago, and 18 of 27 subsequent games have had the same outcome.
New Zealand demolished France to reach the last four, while South Africa struggled to see off Wales, but centre Smith is predicting an epic contest at Twickenham on Saturday.
"They are a special opponent, and it's a very special rivalry," he said. "I grew up during the apartheid era, when Australia were the traditional foes, but now South Africa have come back into it and I think it's got back to where it was and they are our ultimate rival.
"There is something special about playing them, and playing them in a semi-final will be extra special.
"We have a good relationship with most teams we play, but South Africa have a special respect for the game, and that is why two minutes after the game we are able to shake hands, walk off the pitch and have a chat with them.
"With South Africa there is a consistent level of physicality. You can't catch them on an off-night, and in the past five years it's always been tight when we have played.
"They are always tight match-ups with the Springboks, and I am sure this one will be the same. They've been impressive so far, and individually they have great players.
"Although we beat them in our last outing in the Rugby Championship, we weren't proud of the way we played. We know we are playing a very good, physical side.
"Their performances so far suggest they will be better at the set-piece than France, and our defence will have to be on top of its game."
