The Springboks have raised concerns over the legality of some of the All Blacks' tactics, as the war of words heats up ahead of the first Test on Saturday.
The two rugby heavyweights will face off in the opening Test of the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series in Johannesburg, with New Zealand having warmed up for the showdown with wins over South African franchises the Stormers, Sharks and Bulls.
Only the Stormers have mounted serious opposition in those encounters, while All Blacks coach Dave Rennie has cycled through all but a handful of players from his extended squad.
And feedback has clearly filtered back to Springboks camp from the franchises, with South Africa assistant coach Felix Jones revealing the teams had experienced "tucked shoulders" and "non wrapping" at the breakdown during their three respective clashes.
"A lot of it was confirmation of what we saw in the Nations Championship in terms of how they're trying to attack, defend, and play with their kicking game," he said when assessing the All Blacks' performances so far in South Africa.
"A couple of things caught the franchises out and a couple of themes were consistent across the feedback. One was around the breakdown, where they experienced tucked shoulders going in, which the franchises weren't happy with, and a reversed-arm non-wrapping action."
While no All Blacks players has been sanctioned from the three tour games to date, back-rower Luke Jacobson was last month yellow-carded for a dangerous clean-out on Ireland openside Josh van der Flier during the Test at Eden Park.
Jacobson was spared an upgraded red card and no further post-match sanction because he was ruled to have clipped another player on the way in, which prevented him from wrapping an arm as the law states he must.
However, the fact that Jacobson entered the ruck at speed and left his feet suggested Jacobson may have been fortunate to only receive a yellow car regardless, though Ireland coach Andy Farrell later opted not to comment on the incident.
"There [are] incidents all over the field tonight that you could talk about and we're not able to do that, so I'll pass on that one," Farrell said. Asked for his assessment of the incident, Rennie declared Jacobson needed to be "technically better".
The incident was again in the spotlight when Wallabies lock Miles Amatosero was involved in a similar incident a few weeks later but was instead red-carded and handed a three-week ban.
Whether Jones was trying to provide a gentle reminder of that incident or simply relaying the messages of the franchises only he will know, but his comments have further stoked the fire of the most-anticipated rugby series of the year, after the All Blacks earlier this week questioned South Africa's desire to attack, rather than slow the game down and engage New Zealand in a high-ball defensively minded contest.
Jones meanwhile revealed the franchises had been satisfied with the attacking opportunities they had built with New Zealand's 22, but then lamented a failure to capitalize on them with their lineout drive.
"The other was that the franchises were actually quite happy with the opportunities they created, getting into scoring positions around 10m out, with multiple lineout opportunities there, but they were frustrated they couldn't score from the driving maul," he said. "It's tough when there's someone pulling or trying to lift a leg or going off their feet. Those were probably the two main themes."
However, the Irishman couldn't help but make it all about safety once more, bringing World Rugby into the conversation.
"We're all for the physical side of the game, as everyone is aware. We just want it to be within the laws. So, we're aware of it going into the game," he said.
"We've coached against Dave Rennie (All Blacks head coach) with Glasgow and with Australia, and the word 'brutal' follows his coaching, and there are some amazing elements to how quickly they get their ruck speed going. But World Rugby's number one priority is safety, so we just want to make sure that physicality and brutality stay within the laws."
Both the All Blacks and Springboks will name their teams on Thursday, with Ruben Love expected to retain the No. 10 jersey after strong performances in New Zealand's unbeaten July campaign.
The tourists do have doubts over Will Jordan, who is among the players who have not yet featured in the tour to date, but Damian McKenzie was reported to be on track to play after suffering a minor ankle injury against the Sharks last week.