The All Blacks are expecting a tough battle when they go up against the Springboks in Paris on Saturday in the final of the Rugby World Cup.

The last time these two rivals met, the Springboks thumped the New Zealanders 35-7 at Twickenham in London.

On Saturday in the semi-finals the Springboks looked flat in their 16-15 win over England, however, it is expected that the reigning champions will bring more intensity this week.

The Test will be the All Blacks coach, Ian Foster's, last in charge of the team and they will want to send him off on a high. By the same token, it will also be the Springbok coach, Jacques Nienaber's last Test before he joins Leinster in Ireland.

Foster, warned that this Springbok team can never be written off, but it is certainly a dream final.

“It probably couldn't be scripted better, could it?” said Foster in an interview with www.newshub.co.nz

“South Africa again have come through that tight game and give themselves a chance for this week.

“You go into a final and, you know, it's never going to be easy. We've got great memories of big games against them over all my time, it's always been big.

“We're excited and, I guess, as the week goes on the, the nerves will go up a little bit, but that's what a final should be like.”

Saturday’s grand finale at Stade de France will kick-off at 21:00.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport