Saturday's Tri-Nations clash between the Springboks and the All Blacks at Newlands will finally see two of the game's most venerated flanks go head-to-head.

The return of Richie McCaw to the All Black fold certainly has its merits, not only a great leader, the Kiwi number seven has become one of the most revered breakdown specialists.

Looking back to the influence he had during his side's emphatic win over Australia in Auckland recently, he's also learning to fall on the right side of the referee.

Richie McCaw could steal the gold out of one's teeth, and nobody knows this better than Schalk Burger, who anticipates an epic loose forward battle against one of his oldest adversaries.

"Yes I always look forward to it (playing against McCaw)," the Springbok flank said on Thursday.

"It's one of the biggest challenges in rugby. When you play against a guy as good as he is. It's always good to measure yourself against the best.

"I'm looking forward to it, but it's going to be a tough one," Burger added.

A welcome return

Burger marks his welcomed return to the South African starting XV at Newlands on Saturday, after mottled injury and resting periods this international season.

However, he admitted that no man is an island in a Test of this calibre, and looks forward to a combined team effort in an attempt to gain the upper hand at the breakdown.

"At the end of the day, it's all 15 players who have to buy in to be competitive at the breakdown, it's not only down to me," said Burger.

"It starts with the forward pack up front, but all 15 guys have got a responsibility to clean out well and be competitive."

South Africa managed to win the last Newlands encounter against the All Blacks in 2005, a ground which has more often that not favoured the visiting Kiwis.

However, the 25-year-old distinctly remembers another All Black flank giving the Springbok loose forwards a tough day at the office — none other than the 'sorely' missed Jerry Collins.

"I'm definitely not going to miss him (Collins) this year!" said Burger.

"That was a tough game (in 2005). The All Black loose trio has still got some powerful runners, they're good players.

"But Jerry was one of a kind... he was a tough man," he added.

Itching to go

With less than two days to go before the hype turns to spectacle, Burger is itching to run out for his 44th Springbok cap at the highest level of international Test rugby, which between the top two rugby nations in the world, could go either way.

"It's always special to be part of big matches like this. There's a big build-up and a great vibe around the game.

"I really just want to get out there and play some rugby.

"Test matches like this are almost 50/50... they (the All Blacks) are going be tough to beat but hopefully we can sneak the win.

"As they showed in their last game against Australia, they were under big pressure to perform and they did perform very well.

"This weekend we can expect a similar performance from them," Burger added.

365