The Rugby Championship - A boring name for an exciting competition!

It has been a long, long, long time since I have been excited about a rugby match.

But the upcoming clash between world #1 New Zealand and #2 South Africa has me chomping at the bits.

The All Blacks have been their usual dominant selves, overwhelming all comers. And this began from the June Internationals which included a series win over France.

Let's ignore the loss to England last November because the All Blacks just weren't firing that day and I don't think the result would be similar if this current crop of ABs met up with the Poms.

So far in TRC, the ABs have seen off Australia twice (49-27 and 27-16) and claimed the Bledisloe Cup along the way and overcame Argentina in atrocious conditions too (28-13).

 South Africa, on the other hand, have been sputtering and stuttering in their matches but for some reason, have come good for The Rugby Championship.

To be fair though, let us not forget their winning ways during the quadrangular tourney in June against Samoa, Scotland and Italy. In their final match against the South Sea Islanders, the Bokke put 8 tries in with Bryan Habana grabbing a brace.

So far in TRC, the Bokke have gone up over Argentina twice (73-13 and 22-17) and world #4 Australia (38-12).

Now........

......this weekend's match has generated such a buzz amongst rugby enthusiasts because of the very position that Southern Hempisphere rugby finds itself in.

With three of the top four teams in the world, the competition undoubtedly the premier tournament in the world and there's good reason why.

When the Springboks and All Blacks clash on Satuday at Eden Park, the winner will have bragging rights to call themselves the best in the South. As well as take the lead on TRC table.

Expect fireworks. Nothing less.

One only hopes that the weather stays dry and that both teams are able to field strong XVs (minus Captain Courageous McCaw)