Rugby: Johannesburg huge test for under-pressure Boks

Championship match between the New Zealand All Blacks and the South Africa Springboks. Photo / Getty Images

It would be a sad day indeed if the All Blacks and Springboks needed some kind of extrinsic driver to get them interested in knocking the daylights out of each other.

That sad day isn't going to be this Sunday. The All Blacks haven't suddenly lost their desire for continual improvement because they have won the Rugby Championship.

They won't now be running out at Ellis Park with a so-so, you-win-some, you-lose-some attitude. Nothing has changed for them - their desire to win will be as fierce as always.

Since when did test matches against the Boks have varying degrees of importance? This is a huge test - it's that simple.

And the Boks don't feel any differently. The Ellis Park test was always high on the list of must-wins this year. In 2013 they played 12 and won 10. They lost twice to the All Blacks - as they did in 2012 - and it has been deemed imperative by coach Heyneke Meyer they break that pattern.

It's one thing to be a good team - and the Boks are certainly that. But to take the jump to becoming a very good team or a great team, they have to be able to beat the All Blacks.

Not just rattle them and shake them about for 65 minutes or be one unfortunate decision away. But win.

That's a huge step South Africa need to make otherwise their losing streak against the All Blacks will stretch to six tests and at that point, mental demons can take hold.

There is only so long test sides can talk about their growing confidence and conviction in themselves when they keep losing. Skipper Jean de Villiers wants the result to speak for his team.

If it doesn't, he, his teammates and coaching staff will all have to start asking whether they really are on the right track. Whether they really can play this fast, wider game they have been working on.

Another win for the All Blacks and the Boks will start to feel the pressure. Their goal this year is to secure a victory against New Zealand.

So there is no chance at all of Sunday's test being anything other than full-blooded.

"No, it's not [any different]," said All Black flanker Sam Cane. "The last test in Wellington was low scoring and there was a big emphasis on defence. We will be looking to get our attack going a bit better. They will just be looking to win ... whatever way they can do that they will be happy. We are in the same boat. We want to perform well and we know that if we do perform well then we will give ourselves a good shot at winning.

If last year is anything to go by then hopefully we are in for an awesome game."