All Blacks vs Springboks: Sonny Bill Williams calls on boxing lessons against South Africa

All Blacks midfielder Sonny Bill Williams will lean heavily on his experience as a boxer, when he faces South Africa in Pretoria on Sunday (NZ time).

The 33-year-old expects a gruelling and physical encounter against the Springboks, to go along with a hostile sellout crowd at Loftus Versfeld. 

Williams missed the two-point loss to South Africa three weeks ago due to illness and he said the team is desperate to avenge the loss.

Coach Steve Hansen laid a challenge out to his players, demanding that his troops rise to the occasion, as they try to avoid back-to-back defeats against the resurgent Springboks.

Williams is one of the All Blacks more experienced campaigners, having featured in 48 tests and won two World Cups for New Zealand.

His experience will be vital in a hostile arena, 1350m above sea level.

The dual international said he would rely on some of his lessons from the boxing ring to help him get through what will likely be another bruising clash.

Sonny Bill Williams
Sonny Bill Williams in boxing action. Photo credit: Getty

Williams has had seven fights during his professional career and those bouts have provided him with valuable lessons on how to handle pressure on the biggest stage.

"In rugby, I’m fortunate enough to have 14 other blokes to lean on for support," he said. "You don’t have that luxury in boxing.

"Boxing has helped me for rugby and rugby has helped me for boxing. I haven’t had a fight for a few years, but I still lean on those tough times.

"Being in those dark places in the ring and being able to come through those, it teaches you a lot.

"You have the rest of the boys there to back you up, but you will still go to that dark place in the sense that you will be playing at altitude, the highest place you get in rugby terms.

"It’s going to be tough physically. It’s going to be mentally draining, as well."

The All Blacks have the upper hand over the Springboks in matches at Loftus, winning four out of five games played in Pretoria.

The Boks' only win came back in 1970. Since then, they've lost four in a row against the All Blacks in 1996, 1999, 2003 and 2006.

Williams is due to step back in the ring later this year against Stu 'The Bachelor' Laundy on December 1 in Sydney.

The charity fight night - billed as 'The Banger under the Hanger' - will raise money for the Auckland City Mission and the Exodus Foundation in Australia.

Newshub.