The All Blacks coach Graham Henry says the team's beginning to feel the effects of playing seven rugby Tests in just nine weeks.
New Zealand put on a strong defensive effort in Saturday night's 20-10 Tri-Nations victory against Australia in Christchurch to retain the Bledisloe cup, but Henry says it was clear the players are starting to tire.
He says they'll have to be careful not to burn themselves out before their next Test against the Springboks in Johannesburg the Sunday after next.
Henry intends to ensure the players don't overdo it when they get to South Africa, and the team will have until Thursday to rest and recover.
The All Blacks fly to South Africa on Saturday.
