Namibia are really up against it at North Harbour Stadium on Thursday night as they confront a Springbok side buoyed by their blitzing of Fiji last Saturday.
The 49-3 demolition of the South Sea Islanders was a major confidence boost to South Africa who maintain the core of that side; whilst Namibia themselves, having conceded 49 points in both of their World Cup games thus far, must view this African derby as an exercise in damage limitation and pride preservation.
The only previous fixture between the sides saw the Springboks record a resounding 105-13 victory at Newlands in 2007 and for the majority interested in the game they will hope that tomorrow's clash is a far more competitive encounter.
This really is a David and Goliath match-up - one side double World Cup winners, the other yet to win a game at rugby's global spectacle - and it would take someone incredibly brave, or well off, to put money on anything other than an absolute hiding for the Welwitschias.
For Peter de Villiers men Gio Aplon and Bryan Habana come in on the wings, with the IRB World Player of the Year 2007 requiring just one more five-pointer for 39 scores and to go clear of Joost van der Westhuizen at the top of his country's try-scoring charts. Francois Hougaard switches from his position out wide to take Fourie du Preez's place at scrum half, whilst Willem Alberts takes the openside flanker berth and CJ van der Linde starts at tighthead.
With the side displaying a much more expansive and flowing attacking game than has been on show in recent times Frans Steyn keeps his place at inside centre, with a number of people back in South Africa blaming the Boks' stagnant performances on the ponderous previous occupant of the 12 jersey - Jean de Villiers; young play-maker Patrick Lambie continues at full-back.
Even though Namibia owe the Springboks a great rugby debt - the game was introduced to the country by South African soldiers in 1916 - there can be no room for sentiment on Thursday. Johann Diergaart makes 6 changes to the side, in-so-doing making them the most experienced XV to have ever taken to a rugby field for Namibia, with a combined total of 264 caps.
Heine Bock replaces Llewellyn Winkler on the wing in the only change to the back-line, whilst Jacques Nieuwenhuis comes in at Number 8, Tinus du Plessis completes the back-row with captain Jacques Burger, Nico Esterhuyse locks the second row with Heinz Koll in place of Henk Franken and tighthead Marius Visser and hooker Bertus O'Callaghan join Johnnie Redelinghuys in the Eagles' front-row.
As determined as Namibia have come across in the press this week there will be only one winner in this tie, and although it probably won't plunge to the same depths as their 142-0 hammering by Australia in 2003, the African minnows will know they've been in a game come full-time in North Harbour.
Head to Head: Jacques Burger v Willem Alberts
The only real competition on the pitch with the talismanic Burger up against the imposing Alberts, who has little experience himself on the openside. Despite Burger's quality he is only one man, but will nonetheless give his all for the team and will steal, snaffle and snatch until George Clancy sounds the final whistle.
Prediction
With superiority all over the park the score could be whatever South Africa want it to be. SOUTH AFRICA BY 60.
