Meyer juggles his balls

The Springboks have their last chance of beating the All Blacks here on foreign soil tomorrow before next year's World Cup.

Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer needs a maiden win against the All Blacks and he knows the strategy he has embarked upon by including Handré Pollard could have long-term spin-offs in England next year.

"He is also looking towards the World Cup," All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said about the Bok coach's intentions.

"Meyer obviously has a lot of faith in him (Pollard). He's a good player," Hansen said.

Pollard may be raw in an international sense, but Hansen sees talent where others see inexperience.

"I remember when Dan Carter had no caps when I coached Wales. He smashed us. How many caps you've got I guess is irrelevant when you've got ability.

"He plays differently to Morné Steyn, who plays a bit deeper. Pollard wants to attack the line.

"I'd imagine Crudes (Aaron Cruden) will have a few people running at him during the course of the day. He'll just have to stand up and make his tackles."

Cruden is used to standing up to ballsy opponents. He captained the All Blacks to the World Junior Championships crown in 2009, a year after battling cancer.

The two erstwhile Junior World Championship winners will to a large degree shape the fortunes of their sides; Cruden with delicate space-seeking touches and Pollard through obstacle-moving confrontation.

But Cruden's defence isn't the only area where the Springboks intend applying the squeeze. With Sam Whitelock injured, local boy Jeremy Thrush will need to stamp his authority.

"Thrushy is a bit of a Steady Eddy," said Hansen.

"Steady Eddies either stay that way or they get comfortable and become better players. That's what he's done."

Although Hansen gave Thrush that thumbs-up, he brought in extra line-out insurance in Steven Luatua, whose aerial skill obviously appealed over the on-the- deck dexterity of Sam Cane, who is on the bench.

It is quite a recall for Luatua, whom Hansen publicly dressed down for not meeting All Blacks conditioning standards in May.