All Blacks coach Steve Hansen ahead of Springboks showdown: Pressure will always be on us to win

Aphid Dyantyi of South Africa scores against the All Blacks in Wellington. Photo /Getty

With the Rugby Championship wrapped up for another year maybe there's less pressure ahead of Sunday's test in Pretoria?

That's not how being the All Blacks works says coach Steve Hansen upon arrival to South Africa.

"The life of the All Blacks doesn't look like that. It's not about anything other than having to win," Hansen told media today.

"The expectations are that we win every test match and if we win them we win them well. Nothing will change for us. We've got to appear well and make sure we hit the track Saturday in a frame of mind that allows us to present ourselves the best we can."

The All Blacks claimed a third straight Rugby Championship with Sunday's victory over Argentina but face a South African side coming off a shock victory in their last meeting in Wellington.

Hansen said they are still feeling that loss.

"It's like any hurt. Time allows it to go away. But it's there. It's no different for them. If they get beaten, they hurt," Hansen said.

"All Blacks live in a constant pressure to win. It's interesting you guys were writing the Boks off and now you're starting to write us off which is quite good," he added.

The All Blacks and Springboks will meet one more time following this test before they face each in other in group play at next year's Rugby World Cup.

The two sides squared off in a thrilling semifinal encounter three years ago and another win over the All Blacks on Sunday would give South Africa a huge boost of confidence to hand New Zealand their first ever group play defeat in Yokohama in the opening game of Pool B.

"It's important any time that we don't lose twice in a row but it's really got nothing to do with the World Cup," Hansen said,

"It's about tradition and the rivalry we have. It's a strong one and one we enjoy and I'm sure they do to. They're one-nil up this year and it's about putting in a performance we can be proud of in this one."

Skipper Kieran Read and Damian McKenzie, who both missed the win over the Pumas, greeted the team in Johannesburg where the team will be based for the week before heading to Pretoria on game day.