Former Springbok captain Corné Krige has publicly been rebuked by current skipper John Smit for questioning the credentials of the All Blacks' stand-in skipper Rodney So'oialo.

South Africa face New Zealand in the opening match of the Tri-Nations series in Wellington on Saturday and with the Springboks not having won on Kiwi soil for a decade, the last thing Smit and his charges needed was somebody from back home providing the All Blacks with motivational ammunition.

Smit labelled Krige a "rent-a-quote" for voicing surprise that So'oialo, the All Blacks regular number eight, should be captain and openside flank in place of the injured Richie McCaw for Saturday's Tri-Nations Test.

"As far as McCaw goes, he's a massive loss from both a playing and leadership perspective. I'm not sure So'oialo commands the same respect," Krige told a South African website.

"I thought it was just nothing talk when they were touting So'oialo as a possible openside [flank]. His best position is clearly number eight and I don't think his strength is playing towards the ball."

But So'oialo, the All Blacks regular number eight in recent seasons, found a ready ally in Smit who was quick to rubbish Krige, a former Bok loose forward and his predecessor as the Springboks captain until retiring in 2004.

"I can't see how much Corné has had to do with Rodney or the experience he's had of playing against him," Smit said.

"We seem to have a company in South Africa called 'rent-a-quote' and Corné's at the top of the list at the moment.

"I wouldn't say there's any validity in that. I know Rodney personally and I've been playing against him for many years. He might not be as intuitive [as McCaw], but he's as active on the field and I think that's what counts most as captain."

So'oialo, meanwhile, said he was looking forward to the challenge of playing at number seven and leading the All Blacks.

"Having Richie missing, that's a big challenge because he's not only got the leadership quality but he's a great player," he said.

"That's going to be the biggest challenge for us, not having him around. I'm willing to take up that challenge."

The 28-year-old So'oialo, a 44-Test veteran, is the central figure in the All Blacks loose forward mix with number eight Jerome Kaino and flank Adam Thomson having just six Tests between them — none against the Springboks.

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