The All Blacks' and Springboks' camps have singled out discipline as crucial to winning today's second rugby Test which threatens to be more volatile than the explosive first encounter.
The reigning world champion Springboks are desperate to regain prestige here after being outplayed 19-8 in the first Test in Wellington a week ago.
All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith said the balancing act for his side was to front up physically without detracting from the playing skills required to win.
With the build-up to the showdown between the rugby powerhouses filled with fiery rhetoric, the International Rugby Board told the rival coaches to clear the air at a pre-match meeting with referee Matt Goddard.
The All Blacks have voiced frustration at repeated off-the-ball tactics by the Boks who have accused the All Blacks of illegal scrummaging. The Springboks are also angered at losing captain John Smit who was injured when picked up and dumped to the ground by All Blacks lock Brad Thorn.
All Blacks coach Graham Henry said he would not be raising the issue of foul play in the meeting with Goddard but he wanted to "make sure we've got clarity" on the laws for what will inevitably be another bruising clash.
"They've come over to win obviously, and I think they thought they might do that in the first Test in Wellington and they'll be absolutely desperate and I think that will come out in the way they play the game," said Henry.
South Africa have bolstered their point-scoring chances with the recall of fullback Percy Montgomery who, with Francois Steyn, kicked them to the 15-6 victory over England in last year's World Cup final.
Henry acknowledged Montgomery's proven track record and said discipline would be all the more important: "You lose your discipline and you won't play as well as you should and there'll be consequences if you do."
"So I think teams playing with discipline is critical. It's something that we stress, and we stress during the game and stress at half-time."
Springboks coach de Villiers, who has disputed Henry's criticism of South Africa's play, said discipline was common ground.
"I'd started to think we would never agree on anything, me and Graham, but this is one area I definitely have to agree with him. If you don't have discipline you may as well not be there."
But Henry's main complaint of late tackles was dismissed by de Villiers as part of the game and up to the match officials to handle.
"Late tackles, they will be there more than 100 years from now and that's why the referees are there to police it."
Without the injured Smit, Victor Matfield takes over the leadership, while Rodney So'oialo continues as All Blacks captain in place of the injured Richie McCaw.
Despite the first-up win, All Blacks backs coach Smith said it was not a complete performance with clinical finishing absent in a game where it was also necessary to front up physically.
"You can't take a backward step but you have to execute the skills at the same time. Our challenge is to perform the two together and be smart with the way we face the challenges."
This match marks 100 years since the first Test at the Carisbrook ground, which has earned the nickname "House of Pain" because opposition teams have only won three of 34 Tests here.