Tensions are simmering between South Africa and New Zealand ahead of their showdown in Johannesburg this weekend, with All Blacks coach Dave Rennie questioning the intentions of Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus.
The opening Test of the four-match 'Rugby's Greatest Rivalry' series takes place at Ellis Park on Saturday, with both coaches naming strong squads for the curtain-raiser. The build-up has been marked by rising tensions and a series of spiky exchanges over the two sides' contrasting styles and tactics.
Erasmus' pre-match mind games
Earlier in the week, Erasmus and his assistant Felix Jones called out their opponents for what they claimed were illegal themes present in their game. The three South African franchise teams that faced the All Blacks earlier this month were said to be unhappy with how they conducted themselves at the breakdown.
Addressing the media, the South Africa coaching staff pointed to "tucked shoulders" at the breakdown and the lifting of legs at lineouts, with the timing of the accusations seen as another example of Erasmus' infamous pre-match mind games.
Rennie hits back
Now Rennie has hit back at the remarks, questioning the intentions of Erasmus and his coaching staff after they publicly aired their grievances to the press.
"We sent in clips of concerns that we've got; I'm sure they've done the same thing," the All Blacks boss told a press conference on Thursday. "I'm not sure why they are trying to air that stuff in the media. I've got no plans on sharing any of the clips we've shared with the media."
Quizzed on his side's discipline during their time in South Africa so far, Rennie added: "I think Felix was pointing out a handful of things around us, clawing a leg; we did that once, and we got penalised. We threw a guy across the lineout once, and we got penalised; we were pulling at the back of the maul and got penalised and sin-binned. So, we have learnt. Discipline was much better on the weekend and we know that's going to be important against the Springboks."
No mind games from Rennie
Despite Erasmus' best efforts, Rennie has refused to engage in mind games ahead of this weekend's clash, ducking a question on which team is under more pressure to deliver at Ellis Park.
"I'm not going to try and heap that on them and play mind games," he said. "But I'm sure they're excited to play at home in front of a sold-out crowd; we're excited to play there as well. It's one of the toughest challenges in rugby. So, we'll embrace that."
