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VIDEO: All Blacks rubbish 'underdogs' tag ahead of Bok Test Patrick Tuipulotu insists the All Blacks won’t play the victim card or accept the ‘underdogs’ tag ahead of the Greatest Rivalry opening Test against the Springboks at Ellis Park on Saturday. New Zealand will head into the clash fresh from beating the Bulls 50-19 at Loftus Versfeld in their final preparation match. Lock Tuipulotu featured in that impressive triumph but was replaced by Josh Lord in the 50th minute, with Dave Rennie opting to save his legs for the all-important Bok showdown. While there have been several talking points heading into the clash, one that’s come up often is how the All Blacks could struggle to handle the Boks’ power upfront. *Also read: Rennie on growing injury list The visitors, however, could pose a serious threat, having built momentum and cohesion through three successive matches while the Boks have played just one Test against Argentina this month. Even so, many still view them as underdogs, but Tuipulotu insists the All Blacks don’t see themselves that way. “No, it doesn’t feel like we’re underdogs,” he told reporters. “It does feel like the two best teams are going head to head. At the moment, we are vying for that number one spot. “World Cups aside, this feels like a final for us.” *Article continues below… The 33-year-old also acknowledged the growth in the team since arriving in South Africa and battling the Stormers. He was quick to add, though, that the club matches pale in comparison to what the All Blacks will face on Saturday. “I think our coaches have been very good in terms of acknowledging we’ve had three games against club sides here, but we’ve got to be real in the fact that a Test match now awaits us, and there’s a different intensity that comes with that. “Along with that, intensity needs to be a lot of mental fortitude, and to build that intensity through the week, we’ve got to have our leaders running our team smoothly and making sure we’re doing the right things. “The challenge of being mentally ready is probably the biggest one.” Tuipulotu has faced the Springboks seven times in his career, with his last outing coming in 2021. He has been part of teams that have beaten the Boks, and he revealed what it takes to beat Rassie Erasmus’s men. “A few of the games sort of go 80+ minutes, and those last two, three minutes, that’s where the game is won,” he shared. “Usually it’s around discipline, and sometimes around set-pieces; we could be pinned down in the corner, and they try and maul us to get a winning try. “It all comes down to those mental decisions when the game is on the line and staying switched on for 80+ minutes.” For Tuipulotu and Co, this revamped version of the tour isn’t about emulating the class of 1996 but about creating their own history. “We’ve acknowledged the history that’s gone before us. “For us, it’s a chance to write our chapter; this is something new for a lot of the team. At the same time, we want to grow our team and try to play the best rugby we can. “The Springboks are number one, and we’re here to do a job.” Watch Rugby's Greatest Rivalry LIVE Two rugby giants collide. Stream live, replays and highlights free on RugbyPass TV.