These days, through the annual Rugby Championship, familiarity has bred a certain weariness. This Saturday, though, is different.
Whatever the merits of Italy, Namibia and Canada in pool B, the two countries will almost certainly qualify for the knockout stages. But there will be a notch on the belt for the winner; a pat on the shoulder for the inner man to bolster the psyche for future times.
It has always been this way. New Zealand have become far more conspicuous since the game went professional — buffed and boosted by marketing executives. The glitz, though, has substance and the All Blacks became by far the stronger entity, overturning South Africa's long-held advantage.
Pre-professionalism in the mid-1990s, the Boks led the series 21-18. New Zealand took until 1956 to win their first series against the South Africans. The last meeting between the sides had been in 1949, when New Zealand had been beaten 4-0; their manhood questioned as the Springboks scrum drove them into the ground. Seven years later, there was fear of a repeat humiliation if the All Blacks did not stand toe-to-toe with their great rivals. New Zealand won the series 3-1, with recalled prop and former national heavyweight boxing champion Kevin Skinner entering rugby folklore.
Hansen and Whitelock are both acutely aware of the special nature of Saturday's encounter.
"This is a massive match because it has always traditionally been so," said Hansen.
"There's a big box of chocolates at the end of the week, but you can't eat them now on Monday or there will be none left by the weekend.
"You can't play it too early in the week. Everything this week has got to be short, sharp and proverbially hot. The older guys know what is coming."