Unlike his direct, collision-bound approach on the field, Pieter-Steph du Toit produced the sidestep of a diplomat when asked about the Springboks' crunch clash against New Zealand in Wellington next week.
The match takes on particular significance as it is their only clash against New Zealand in this year's Rugby Championship and there is revenge in the air as the Boks return to the venue where they beat the All Blacks last year. Moreover, the match may also prove a portent for the teams' clash in their Rugby World Cup (RWC) opener in Yokohama, Japan, in September.
Another win for the Boks will reveal significant chinks in the New Zealand psyche but defeat would not necessarily represent a dagger thrust to the Boks.
"Last year Rassie (Erasmus, the Bok coach) told us our main focus is to beat New Zealand in New Zealand. Our main focus this year is to win the World Cup. If you were to ask the players which game they'd rather lose, the one next week or the World Cup final, they'd say the one in Wellington. We will never go into a game to lose it. We need to win that game. It is going to be a massive confidence booster for us," said Du Toit.
He is fully aware however that lightning doesn't strike in the same place. "We need to look at reality as well. To travel there again is going to be tough. We will never make excuses for that. Luckily we are sending a few guys earlier to get settled in there."
ADVANCE PARTY MAY HOLD THE KEY
And much will rest on those who have been put out of harm's way this weekend. Erasmus has opted to send Malcolm Marx, Steven Kitshoff, Handre Pollard, Frans Malherbe, Franco Mostert, Faf de Klerk, Willie le Roux and Damian de Allende as part of an advance party to New Zealand to acclimatise.
The All Blacks in turn rested eight Crusaders players for last night's match in Buenos Aires against Argentina. They too will be well rested and in fine physical fettle.
Du Toit believes the Boks are in better shape than they were for the corresponding match last year. They are certainly more familiar with what to do, when and how.
Du Toit expects next week's match to follow a similar nerve-jangling path as last year's clash. "We had a few weeks together, not like last year. We are much better prepared than last year. The players and the coaches understand each other. The players know their roles and their responsibilities.
"When I get up from a ruck I need to know where I need to run. I can't just run. That is the main thing we are trying to get into our system. If you do something you need to get into your next job and so on. Everything then goes like a machine."
BAG OF TRICKS AND A NEW BATTLE PLAN
Last year Aphiwe Dyantyi plucked a few rabbits from the hat and though he is absent through injury the Boks again want to keep their sleight of hand. "We are quite positive. We have some nice moves and tricks up our sleeve.
"We are going to have to come up with new plans to beat them again. It will be unbelievable if we can beat them again going into the World Cup, as well as hopefully winning the Championship," said the flank.
Du Toit doesn't know if the All Blacks have more to lose than the Boks next week but agrees defeat would leave them with that nagging feeling. "Of course it will create something in the back of your mind. You have to look at it two ways.
"If you win, you get that confidence. You've then got something on them. If you lose you've got to go and prove something and should make you more determined.
"For us each game is important. As a player you never know whether it is going to be your last game, especially ahead of a World Cup because there is so much competition. That is quite healthy for the Springbok set-up as well."
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