WELLINGTON (Reuters) - A week-long barrage of accusations of cheap shots, illegal scrummaging and favouritism will be put to rest on Saturday when New Zealand and South Africa meet in Dunedin for their second Tri-Nations match.

World champions South Africa, humbled by the All Blacks 19-8 last Saturday in Wellington, spent most of the week complaining about the All Blacks' scrummaging techniques and of supposed favouritism shown to them by referees.

New Zealand, on the other hand, complained of several off-the-ball incidents from the match at Westpac Stadium, many of which were aimed at flyhalf Daniel Carter, who was on the end of at least three late tackles from his opposite Butch James.

"This is international rugby ... you would expect teams to fire whatever they can at you," All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith said on Thursday.

"It creates a bit of intensity around the contest."

South African expectations of a first win in New Zealand in 10 years were at an all-time high last week after their second World Cup title last year.

The All Blacks pack, without inspirational leader Richie McCaw, however, more than matched the Springboks' physical approach though they will miss the no-nonsense presence of the suspended Brad Thorn.

The lock was banned for a week for picking up South African captain John Smit and unceremoniously dumping him on his back after an incident from a ruck, where Smit had appeared to have dropped his forearm and elbow on to the back of Thorn's head.

Lock Anthony Boric will make his first start alongside veteran Ali Williams, while tighthead prop John Afoa has returned from a knee injury, with both likely to be targeted by a fired-up Springboks pack.

New Zealand flyhalf Carter will again aim to be a key player with his tactical kicking behind the rushing South African defensive line a decisive factor last week.

South Africa coach Peter De Villiers recognised his team's kicking game, which is increasingly important to keep the ball alive under the Experimental Law Variations (ELVs), was less than satisfactory and he made changes to his back three.

Veteran fullback Percy Montgomery replaces Conrad Jantjes, while JP Pietersen replaces the inexperienced Odwa Ndungane on the right wing, reuniting the pair with Bryan Habana.

"We are expecting more wet, cold weather and snow down there (Dunedin) and we have opted for a left and a right boot in Monty and Butch," de Villiers told reporters in Wellington before the team left for Dunedin on Thursday.

"I know that JP is much better in the kicking game than Odwa Ndungane also.

"If we are caught and bogged down in our own 22 we've got enough ammunition to get out of there."

The match at Carisbrook kicks off at 1935 (8:35 a.m.) on Saturday.

New Zealand: 15-Mils Muliaina, 14-Sitiveni Sivivatu, 13-Conrad Smith, 12-Ma'a Nonu, 11-Rudi Wulf, 10-Dan Carter, 9-Andy Ellis, 8-Jerome Kaino, 7-Rodney So'oialo (captain), 6-Adam Thomson, 5-Ali Williams, 4-Anthony Boric, 3-John Afoa, 2-Andrew Hore, 1-Tony Woodcock

South Africa: 15-Percy Montgomery, 14-JP Pietersen, 13-Adrian Jacobs, 12-Jean de Villiers, 11-Bryan Habana, 10-Butch James, 9-Ricky Januarie, 8-Joe van Niekerk, 7-Juan Smith, 6-Schalk Burger, 5-Victor Matfield (captain), 4-Bakkies Botha, 3-CJ van der Linde, 2-Bismarck du Plessis, 1-Gurthro Steenkamp.

Referee: Matt Goddard (Australia)

(Writing by Greg Stutchbury in Melbourne; Editing by Sonia Oxley).