IT MIGHT not enjoy the jingoistic nature of its rugby equivalent but the match between South Africa and New Zealand today will be among the most crucial the two teams will play in the Confederations Cup.

IT MIGHT not enjoy the jingoistic nature of its rugby equivalent but the match between South Africa and New Zealand today will be among the most crucial the two teams will play in the Confederations Cup.

It is quite simple, the loser goes home - in South Africa's case, stays home - and the winner stands a more than equal chance of playing in the semi-finals.

The Kiwis should not take this personally. Not that the rugby rivalry will give them any reason to expect better from us.

But we are usually courteous to our guests. Iraq can attest to that after they were saved from defeat by the kindness of one of our players who cleared a goal-bound ball off the visitors' line.

Bafana should ask the Boks to share what it is that makes them come out firing on all cylinders each time they face the gentlemen from the Antipodes.