CAPE TOWN - Springbok loose forward Schalk Burger say it's a team effort, rather than just individual endeavour, that's needed to counter All Black skipper Richie McCaw's expertise at the breakdown.
McCaw was at his energetic best on his return from injury against Australia two weeks ago andBurger was looking forward to looking horns again in the Tri-Nations test in Cape Town on Sunday morning (NZT).
"It's one of the biggest challenge in rugby, playing against Richie," he said.
"At the end of the day, all 15 guys have to buy in and be competitive at the breakdown. It's not just down to me. It starts with the forward pack, but all 15 guys have the responsibility to clean out well."
Burger missed South Africa's 63-9 win over Argentina in Johannesburg last weekend to give him further time to get over a neck injury.
After a lethargic opening half-hour, when they fell 9-0 behind, the Springboks ran in nine tries with some expansive play against the disappointing Pumas.
While the scoreline was comprehensive, Burger said the home side couldn't repeat their error rate against the All Blacks, or they would be punished.
The game plan was also likely to be more conservative than against Argentina.
He said the Springboks' win in Dunedin to make it 1-1 with New Zealand this year had added spice to the contest at Newlands and he expected little to split the sides.
"Big test matches like this are almost always 50-50," he said.
"I hope we can play some proper rugby and sneak home, but they're going to be tough to beat, as they showed in the last game against Australia."
The last time New Zealand played in Cape Town, in 2005, Burger had a key role as the Springboks won a brutal encounter 22-16.
He shaded McCaw to help the Springboks win the contest at the breakdown and had a battle royal with Jerry Collins, who won't be there this time around, having departed for French club rugby.
"He was one of the kind, a tough man," Burger said of Collins.
