All Blacks warned to watch Bulls playmakers Willie le Roux and Curwin Bosch

Veteran All Blacks centre Anton Lienert-Brown has identified Willie le Roux and Curwin Bosch as the key threats New Zealand must monitor when they face the Bulls in Pretoria on Saturday.

The match is the All Blacks’ third fixture of the Greatest Rivalry Tour, following victories over the Stormers and the Sharks. It will also be their first game at altitude, with the Bulls having selected a strong starting XV for the contest.

Lienert-Brown was asked about the challenge posed by South African teams during Super Rugby and recalled the pressure created by their aerial game.

“There were a lot of high balls, and it was pretty daunting,” said Lienert-Brown when looking back on matches in South Africa.

“It was an experience I’ll never forget.”

The 29-year-old dismissed altitude as a potential excuse for New Zealand and said the All Blacks would have to produce their best performance in Pretoria.

“We’re at altitude here, but it’s not something we talk about. It’s not an excuse for us.

“We just have to go out there and perform.”

Although Lienert-Brown expects the demands of the contest to be familiar, he said the Bulls would still present a significant physical challenge through their set-piece and powerful forwards.

“What hasn’t changed is the set-piece and the big South African bodies. They’re still there today,” he said.

Le Roux, who has been named at full-back for the Bulls, was singled out for particular attention. The experienced back is expected to influence both the Bulls’ attacking shape and their kicking strategy.

“Willie is highly experienced and one of the smartest players in the game,” Lienert-Brown said.

“He’s going to lead that backline beautifully. He’s a great kicker and passer of the ball as well.”

Bosch will make his first start for the Bulls since moving to the Pretoria-based franchise. Lienert-Brown believes the fly-half’s long kicking range and tactical awareness will be central to the hosts’ approach.

“With Curwin, we know that he can kick the ball for miles,” he said.

“He’ll lead that team too, so I think we can expect great tactics from them.

“They [Le Roux and Bosch] both see the game incredibly well, and they’re going to find kicking space, so we have to be switched on.”

Saturday’s match kicks off at 19:00.

The Bulls will start with Willie le Roux at full-back, behind Thaakir Abrahams, Stedman Gans, Harold Voster and Stravino Jacobs. Curwin Bosch is at fly-half, with Embrose Papier at scrum-half.

Jeandre Rudolph, Hanro Liebenberg and captain Marcell Coetzee form the back row, while JF van Heerden and Ruan Vermaak are named in the second row. Francois Klopper, Juann Else and Alulutho Tshakweni make up the front row.

The Bulls replacements are Jaundre Schoeman, Sti Sithole, Khuta Mchunu, Reinhardt Ludwig, Mpilo Gumede, Paul de Wet, Katlego Letebele and Hakeem Kunene.

New Zealand name Beauden Barrett at full-back, with Leroy Carter, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown and Josh Moorby in the rest of the back three and midfield. Josh Jacomb starts at fly-half and Cortez Ratima at scrum-half.

Peter Lakai, Anton Segner and Simon Parker are the loose forwards, with Patrick Tuipulotu and Fabian Holland in the second row. Tyrel Lomax, captain Codie Taylor and Xavier Numia are the starting front three.

The New Zealand replacements are Samisoni Taukei’aho, George Bower, Siale Lauaki, Josh Lord, Wallace Sititi, Kyle Preston, Timoci Tavatavanawai and Emoni Narawa.