There are some mouth-watering head-to-head encounters lined up for Saturday's Tri-Nations opening game in Wellington.  The battle at scrum and lineout time, the scrap for the loose ball at ruck time, the tactical kicking, line-breaking and defence from the backs - and much, much more.  Let's line the two teams up and see who has the edge…

Tony Woodcock v CJ van der Linde: Woodcock silenced his critics from a fairly average Super 14 with some outstanding performances for the All Blacks in June.  He has the ability to attack the tighthead prop and help the All Black scrum gain the ascendancy.  Not nearly as mobile as Van der Linde around the park, but his scrummaging ability gives him the upper hand. Verdict:  Woodcock shades it (ABs 1-0 Boks)

Andrew Hore v John Smit: Hore was excellent during the Super 14 to establish himself as the first choice All Black hooker.  He's mobile and loves to attack, but is battling to find his lineout jumpers.  We haven't seen that much of Smit this year due to his international commitments, but the glimpses he showed against Wales were enough to prove he hasn't lost his love for the physical encounter.  Smit's performances in 2007 led to many calling him the best hooker in world rugby last year. Verdict:  Hore's a good player, but Smit is in a different class (ABs 1-1 Boks)

Greg Somerville v Gurthro Steenkamp: Somerville comfortably wins this head to head.  The experienced prop oozes class.  Steenkamp, on the other hand, has looked off the pace this season and has plenty to prove come Saturday. Verdict:  Somerville (ABs 2-1 Boks)

Brad Thorn v Bakkies Botha: The two enforcers are two of best of their kind playing the game as they run around the field smashing into rucks, crashing into tackles and fronting up to the challenge of the opposing packs. Overall, though, Botha shades out Thorn in every department.  He's a little quicker, a little meaner and a whole lot better at the lineouts. Verdict:  Botha (ABs 2-2 Boks)

Ali Williams v Victor Matfield: If there's one match Williams didn't want to come limping into, it's the one against the Springboks.  ]Williams carries the All Black lineout responsibilities and has been far from convincing for them in '08.  He's up against the best lineout forward in world rugby in Matfield and, although his loose game is handy, he should come off second best at the set pieces by a long way.  Matfield is a class act is on his way to being regarded as the best ever. Verdict:  Matfield (ABs 2-3 Boks)

Adam Thompson v Juan Smith: No contest here.  Smith established himself as the world's finest blindside flanker at the World Cup and continued where he left off in the green and gold this year. His commitment in defence, ability to carry the ball and lineout work are all streets ahead of the New Zealand newcomer. Smith, largely unrated outside South Africa, will surely put any doubters right come these Tests. Verdict:  Smith hands down. (ABs 2-4 Boks)

Rodney So'oialo v Schalk Burger: So'oialo is a class act with his ability to read a game, his silky handling skills and aggression at the tackle, ruck and maul making him the complete player. A fetcher battle, however, is all about mongrel and up against the experience and single-mindedness of Schalk Burger, he comes off second best.
Verdict: Burger (ABs 2-5 Boks)

Jerome Kaino v Joe van Niekerk: Kaino is quick and destructive around the park and will prove a handful for Van Niekerk, who finds himself back in the starting line-up after a lengthy absence. Van Niekerk, starting his 48th Test, oozes experience and his rejuvenated game is based on impeccable ball skills and ability to read the game. A fascinating battle looms but Van Niekerk pips Kaino on experience. Verdict:  Van Niekerk (ABs 2-6 Boks)

Andrew Ellis v Ricky Januarie: Ellis is one cool customer who seems to continually make the right decisions when his pack is going forward.  Januarie, in contrast, is a fiery player who flies headlong into everything he does.  Januarie pips Ellis on defence and ability to harrass the opposing scrumhalf, but the cool head of the All Black sees him being able to make better decisons.. This is too close to call, if the AB's get beaten in the ruck Ellis will come off second best, if the AB's get the advantage in this area thenit will be a different story. Verdict:  Tie (ABs 2.5-6.5 Boks)

Dan Carter v Butch James: There was a time when Dan Carter was undisputedly the best fly-half playing the game.  Times, however, have changed with James challenging for the mantle of the world's best No.10.  Carter's kicking out of hand and place kicking is stronger while he is also quicker and more of an individual threat on attack. Defensively,  James is without peer and his ability to take the ball up over the advantage line and release his outside backs is better than the slighter frame of Carter. Both players are on top of their game at the moment and it is only by the tiniest of margins that Carter takes this one. Verdict:  Carter (ABs 3.5-6.5 Boks)

Rudi Wulf v Odwa Ndungane: Both players will be pinching themselves when they line up for the anthems on Saturday after sneaking into the starting XVs via the back door.  They are both rookies on the Test scene and they will both be eager to prove they belong on the big stage.  Critics of Ndungane say that he lacks pace while speed is Wulf's greatest asset.  That said Ndungane is a proven performer at Super 14 level with a knack for reading the game, silky skills and a solid try scoring record. Verdict: Ndungane (ABs 3.5-7.5 Boks)

Ma'a Nonu v Jean de Villiers: Nonu and de Villiers play a similar style of game at inside centre with strike running and the ability to cut the line.  Nonu'sphysical and aggressive style makes him a hard man to put down with de Villiers preferring to stretch his legs and look for the gap.  De Villiers is in red-hot form this season and has the edge over Nonu thanks to better handling, speed, reputation and discipline. Verdict:  De Villiers (ABs 3.5-8.5 Boks)

Conrad Smith v Adrian Jacobs: Outside centre has been New Zealand's nemesis for years. For now, though, Smith gets another chance to prove that his undoubted skill can take the step up to Test level. He just shades out Jacobs, who has too many question marks over his consistency and defence. Verdict: Smith (ABs 4.5-8.5 Boks)

Sitiveni Sivivatu v Bryan Habana: Another of the great match-ups in the game. Both are incredibly hard to put down and can score from just about anywhere on the park. Sivivatu probably edges Habana with his ability to brush aside defenders while Habana's unbelievable pace makes him harder to catch. Habana edges this one due to having a better all-round game on attack and defence. Verdict:  Habana (ABs 4.5-9.5 Boks)

Mils Muliaina v Conrad Jantjes: Muliaina likes to run the ball from the back and his ability to join the line on attack and counter with ball in hand make him a far more dangerous runner than the more conservative Jantjes.  The Bok fullback, while not as elusive on attack, is rock solid on defence and has a superior kicking game. Two very different players with Muliaina just taking the head to head battle on experience at Test level. Verdict:  Muliaina (ABs 5.5 -9.5 Boks)

There you have it - the Boks shading the Head2Head battles by a comfortable margin.  Peter de Villiers' men probably also have the edge courtesy of some well settled combinations running through the spine of the team. But the All Blacks will be looking to their new caps to pump some life into the team and will be quietly confident that they can extend their winning streak at home over the Springboks.