Springboks aim to extend "mental hold" on All Blacks

South African test coach Peter de Villiers believes that this year's Investec Tri Nations series will serve two purposes, to gain a psychological edge over the All Blacks and act as a road test for their World Cup defence in 2011.

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The Springboks beat the All Blacks 3-0 last year - winning 28-19 in Bloemfontein, 31-19 in Durban and 30-28 in Waikato. It was the first time since 1976 (with the three matches played from 1970-1976) that the South Africans had won three straight tests against New Zealand.

This year, as part of the Tri Nations home and away rotation policy, the Springboks will play two tests on New Zealand soil, with both games being played where the World Champions will be based in 2011.

The Springboks have won their last two tests in New Zealand, including a historic first victory in Carisbrook in 2008.

De Villiers has said that crucial to their World Cup planning will be the mental battle with their old nemesis.

"We are privileged to be able to use this year as a trial run for the World Cup. The most important games are the first two in the Tri-Nations in Auckland and Wellington. That is also where we will play in the World Cup," De Villiers told the Rapport newspaper.

"It will mean a lot if we can beat the All Blacks, particularly to get a psychological edge. Their support is very good when they win, but I have also seen that it's poor when they lose."

First up in 2010 the Springboks will play France in what should be a fascinating encounter between the Tri and Six Nations champions. Les Bleus are currently on a five match winning streak and could potentially face the South Africans in the World Cup final.

"Everyone knows the French are on a high. We'll see them in the World Cup again and cannot afford to lose to them next month," De Villiers said.

There are suggestions that De Villiers could use upwards of 40 or 50 players in 2010 to ensure that he has covered all options, and after using the Tri Nations as a World Cup warm up in relation to the All Blacks, he will do the same in their Grand Slam tour.

The Springboks play Ireland, Wales, Scotland and England on consecutive weekends.

"We want to use the tour as a training camp. I don't think anyone has ever had the opportunity to simulate a situation similar to the World Cup," De Villiers said.

"We will approach the first game as a group match, the second as a quarter-final, the third as a semifinal and the last one as a final.

"We can simulate the World Cup inside those four weeks and see what we can achieve. We can carry what works for us over into the World Cup."