A true test of how far New Zealand's rugby team has moved on since last year's World Cup will be played out in the opening Tri-nations match against world champion South Africa on Saturday.
New Zealand are rebuilding their squad after losing 11 players to retirement or offshore moves and have won all three of their tests so far, including Ireland and England.
The Springboks, again led by inspirational hooker John Smit, have a settled look with 10 players from the World Cup final in their 22-man squad. They proved in their victories over Six Nations champions Wales they have plenty of depth.
The only contentious decision in the side named by coach Peter de Villiers today appeared to be the selection of the rangy Joe van Niekirk at number eight, instead of the explosive Ryan Kankowski or Pierre Spies.
De Villiers, however, said van Niekirk's experience and his Super 14 performances had earned him the opportunity to play against a revamped All Blacks loose forward trio.
"Joe came back into the Springboks camp after having a brilliant Super 14 and has showed to all of us that he means business. He earned his place here," de Villiers said.
"Joe captained the South Africa under-19s and under-21s and the Lions. If you look at the spine of this side, there is a great deal of decision-making running down that spine."
The All Blacks, by contrast, must do without inspirational captain Richie McCaw, who is out with an ankle injury.
The quietly-spoken Rodney So'oialo will replace McCaw as captain, though he and rookie Adam Thomson are expected to continue the left and right flanker roles the selectors have experimented with this season.
Auckland Blues loose forward Jerome Kaino returns at number eight and his height, combined with Thomson's, give the All Blacks greater options in the lineout where they will be tested against Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha and van Niekirk.
The match will also be the first international to be played under the International Rugby Board's (IRB) Experimental Law Variations (ELVs).
The All Blacks, who are the Tri-nations champions and seeking their fourth successive title in the annual southern hemisphere competition, are also defending a five-year, 29-match, unbeaten record at home.
Their last defeat was to England in Wellington in June 2003.
The match at Westpac Stadium kicks off at 7.35am local time (8.35am Irish time) on Saturday.
New Zealand: Mils Muliaina, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Rudi Wulf, Dan Carter, Andy Ellis, Jerome Kaino, Rodney So'oialo (capt), Adam Thomson, Ali Williams, Brad Thorn, Greg Somerville, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock
South Africa: Conrad Jantjes, Odwa Ndungane, Adrian Jacobs, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Butch James, Ricky Januarie, Joe van Niekerk, Juan Smith, Schalk Burger, Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, CJ van der Linde, John Smit (capt), Gurthro Steenkamp
