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The key man in this fixture might not be in black or green.

Over the past two years, French referee Jerome Garces has sent off 50% of the All Blacks to see red in the history of international rugby.

Scott Barrett was dispatched in New Zealand's defeat in Perth earlier this year, while Sonny Bill Williams got his marching orders for a shoulder charge to the head of Anthony Watson in the second Test against the British and Irish Lions in 2017.

Who's got the whistle today? Monsieur Garces.

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Siya Kolisi leads a South Africa team with a back three of Cheslin Kolbe, Makazole Mapimpi and Willie Le Roux.

Gloucester's Franco Mostert forms the second row with Eben Etzebeth.

Coach Rassie Erasmus said the line-up, which beat Japan 41-7 in their final warm-up, was his "best side".

South Africa: Le Roux; Kolbe, Am, De Allende, Mapimpi; Pollard, De Klerk; Kitshoff, Marx, Malherbe, Etzebeth, Mostert, Kolisi (c), Du Toit, Vermeulen.

Replacements: Mbonambi, Mtawarira, Nyakane, Snyman, Louw, H Jantjies, Steyn, Kriel.

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Beauden Barrett will start at full-back as New Zealand begin their attempt to win a third straight World Cup against South Africa on Saturday.

Coach Steven Hansen has opted for Crusaders' Richie Mo'unga at fly-half, with inexperienced wings George Bridge and Sevu Reece also in the XV.

Only five of Barrett's previous 48 All Black starts have come at 15.

New Zealand:B Barrett; Reece, Lienert-Brown, Crotty, Bridge; Mo'unga, Smith; Moody, Coles, Laulala, Whitelock, S Barrett, Savea, Cane, Read (c).

Replacements:Taylor, Tu'ungafasi, Ta'avao, Tuipulotu, Frizell, Perenara, Williams, Smith.

BBC Radio 5 Live

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As commentator Gareth Lewis said himself, "if this is a ticket to the Gun Show, one is an Uzi and the other a water pistol."

The only sure bet in this one is that it will be close. The aggregate score over their last three meetings is 82-82.

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Sep 2018: South Africa by two in Wellington

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Oct 2018: New Zealand by two in Pretoria

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July 2019: 16-16 in Wellington

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New Zealand or South Africa.

If Rugby World Cup was a console game, either would make a final-level boss.

As it is the draw, done on world rankings back in 2017, have thrown two titans into the same string bag to fight it out on the opening weekend.

With Namibia, Italy and Canada making up the rest of the pool, defeat is very unlikely to send either home.

But it could be significant psychological dent if the two teams are reunited in the final. Given they are favourites and second favourites with the bookies they might well...

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"Ah, Mr Erasmus, we had been expecting you....probably not this early but...."

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