Savea and Kolisi: Fierce Rivals, Close Friends Off the Field

Savea said they try to attend church together whenever they are in the same part of the world. "Yeah, 100 percent. I think that's a beautiful thing about both nations." We compete, we try and get each other on the field, but what a powerful statement to be able to unite both countries, Savea said.

"To be able to do that with a brother off the field, but then obviously try and destroy each other, it's a massive blessing. The pair will look to get the better of one another in the second test in Cape Town on Sunday morning (NZT), and Savea said it is always a challenge playing against his good mate. "Yeah, it's always special.

It's always special playing against Siya and it's always special playing against the Springboks. It demands a lot from you and as an All Black, it's one of the toughest test matches you'll play, he said. Kolisi said he and Savea "do give it to each other" when they meet on the field, but rugby is off the agenda when they catch up outside the game.

"We don't talk about rugby, Kolisi said. "We've both got kids and families, so that's the conversations that we have between us two. We also share the same faith, and that's why we go to church together.

On life and things off the field, the struggles that we face, we talk more about that, but rugby is never a conversation. Savea and the All Blacks attended a fan event in Cape Town on Friday (local time), and he was blown away by the support the team has in the city. One family had driven all the way from Namibia with their young son, named Ardie, to get a glimpse of the All Blacks captain.

"He's quite amazing." I met him today and that's what it's about, Savea said. "Footy is 80 minutes, but you live life after that and to see those kind of things, it reminds you why you play the game. Savea knows the Springboks are hurting after the first test loss at Ellis Park and expects them to be tough to beat in Cape Town, noting they have not lost two games in a row at home in 11 years.

"They're a dangerous, dangerous side and it's the testament to the quality that they have across the board, he said. "We've just got to be accurate, stay disciplined and not let them in the areas of the field where they want to play." Savea said the All Blacks must get into the game quickly on Sunday morning and improve how they start the match. "South Africa came out of the blocks (fast) and they're a real class team and the physical dominant.

I don't think we'll get away with that if we start like that again," he said. Savea knows South Africa will be desperate to win and level the four-match series, but he said the All Blacks are equally determined to triumph in Cape Town.