Bulls boss previews Boks v All Blacks blockbuster series

The visiting All Blacks earned a comfortable 50-19 victory over a physical Bulls side at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday night to remain undefeated. There was plenty of enterprising play on the highveld, with both teams opting to keep ball in hand, often at considerable risk.

Ackermann would be surprised if the visitors adopt a similar strategy against the world champions when the opening Test of the highly-anticipated Greatest Rivalry Tour kicks off on Saturday at Ellis Park.

"Obviously the Springboks are match-fit, and if there's quality players, they've played a long time together, and they've got some of the best heads in the world putting a plan together," Ackermann told reporters after the match.

"So, I think the Springboks will be well-prepared, and the time [together] will tell.

"The All Blacks had the scoreboard luxury tonight to try a few things from deep in their own half that I don't think they'll get away with against the Springboks. You know, that's the way they do play sometimes, but they may find themselves a bit in trouble with that.

"I think the Springboks will see that there are opportunities if you keep the ball in hand against the All Blacks, and I'm sure that they will look at the game and work on that.

"They will be well-planned, the Boks, but I feel that if we were a little bit more patient with the ball in hand tonight, we could have finished a few opportunities, and I think hopefully the Boks will take that."

The Springboks are on a two-week break following their attritional 17-10 win over Argentina in Buenos Aires last Saturday.