South Africa v New Zealand: 5 Key Battles That'll Shape Rugby Championship Clash

There may no longer be a title on the line in Saturday's encounter between South Africa and New Zealand, but that doesn't quell the rousing competition that these two sides are set to enjoy.

The All Blacks retained their Rugby Championship title with victory over Argentina last week and will hope their trip to Ellis Park can end in similar triumph, just as it did 12 months ago.

The hosts will attempt to derail their opponents' momentum in Johannesburg, and with injuries playing their role in the selection stakes, a number of key head-to-heads stand out above all others.

All statistics come courtesy of ESPN Scrum.

1. Cornal Hendricks vs. Julian Savea

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The last time these two sides met, Julian Savea carried for a monstrous 118 metres, the highest total of any one player in Wellington and progress that Cornal Hendricks had little hope of quelling.

However, coming off the back of a prolific Super Rugby campaign himself, the Springboks speedster did manage to dot down whereas Savea did not, showing that for all his attacking bluster, there are ways of getting around "The Bus."

Such weaknesses will surely be addressed in this rematch between two of the southern hemisphere's in-form wide men, where keeping one's shores defended will be as pivotal as making any breaks between enemy lines.

There's also added spice to the duel considering Savea is the tournament's leading tryscorer with four at present, Hendricks threatening to dethrone the All Black bruiser with three of his own.

2. Oupa Mohoje vs. Richie McCaw

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In what couldn't be a more contrasting battle in terms of experience held by the two in question, Richie McCaw and Oupa Mohoje bring quite opposite prospects to this encounter.

Steve Hansen's captain will be making his 134th appearance for New Zealand in Johannesburg, setting a new All Blacks record, while Mohoje is starting in South Africa colours for just the second time in his career.

And while McCaw brings his unique sense of wisdom to the melee, Mohoje showed in his outing against Australia last week just how deserving of his spot he is, a selection that's come under some fire in recent days.

Expect these two to be going hammer and tongs to secure possession for their respective sides in the ground game, Mohoje a live-wire presence in Heyneke Meyer's ranks, striving to make an impression against the best in the business.

3. Francois Hougaard vs. Aaron Smith

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Ruan Pienaar's injury has given Francois Hougaard the opportunity to start for South Africa of late, an opportunity that many felt should have been afforded to him even with a fit Pienaar present.

And the early signs have been good from the Bulls puppeteer, but in Aaron Smith, the scrum-half has an entirely new struggle on his hands.

Smith has made a name for himself in ranking highly among the other terriers of world rugby, the most revered of that particular craft and a nuisance for any of his opposite numbers to deal with.

Hougaard is still relatively fresh after returning to the international frame, and although he has the potential to give the Springboks a steady supply of quick and effective ball, he'll need to evade Smith's probes to get the time necessary to do so.

4. Eben Etzebeth vs. Jeremy Thrush

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Brodie Retallick's absence from the New Zealand line-up sees Jeremy Thrush come into Hansen's side as an unfamiliar addition, breaking up his partnership with Sam Whitelock for the first time in this year's tournament.

It's a changing of the guard that Eben Etzebeth will hope to exploit, himself having become a veritable staple of the Springboks second row, while Thrush has but a handful of Test caps.

Retallick has grown into a key role for New Zealand, twice elected Man of the Match in this year's Rugby Championship and holding up a great deal of the All Blacks' solidity at the set piece.

With that presence out, Etzebeth, along with lock partner Victor Matfield, will hope the line-out can be one area in which they take an advantage, every slight edge needed if the hosts are to walk away as victors.

5. Jean De Villiers vs. Malakai Fekitoa

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And another face South Africa will be less used to seeing in the New Zealand XV is that of Malakai Fekitoa, who will look to build on the extreme promise shown at inside centre against Argentina last week.

However, this time there's a far greater opponent sitting ahead of the Highlanders star, and Jean de Villiers is likely to test just how genuine a threat Fekitoa can be on Ma'a Nonu's place in the starting line-up.

De Villiers will examine Fekitoa with a most scrutinising eye, taking him to the final whistle in a defensive sense and threatening to burst through his own borders unless the All Blacks prospect can restrain him.

It's essential, however, that Hansen's midfield maestro doesn't become solely transfixed with his individual battle. Conrad Smith and Beauden Barrett will require Fekitoa at his most alert in the hopes that De Villiers' outside options can't make ground, the Springbok veteran as learned as they come in disguising his playmaking prowess.