shatter the seemingly invincibility New Zealand All Blacks.

But the Springboks say they will have to show a marked improvement on Sunday's 69-19 thrashing of United States if they have any hopes of pulling out a victory against the Kiwis in today's feature match-up.

Today's action at National Sports Club has the defending champions All Blacks taking on South Africa at 8.30 p.m. The game will preceded by a consolation-round match at 7 p.m. between Argentina and the United States.

And despite routing the Americans, Springboks skipper Divan Serfontein doesn't hide the fact that the odds weigh heavily against his team going into the contest.

"We simply have to improve 200 percent (over the first game) this time,'' said Serfontein.

"The All Blacks have beaten us badly in the past and it's clear that we will have to try and stop their forwards, which is going to be a most difficult task because I don't think we have the strength to stop their good driving technique. They also have very good support in ball handling.'' The skipper said his team are aware of the high standard of play they have to produce in order to be competitive this time around -- but whether or not they can accomplish it remains to be seen.

"If you can disrupt the All Blacks' technique then you've got a chance, otherwise you don't,'' he reckoned.

"We must try and do all of these things and I don't really know if we can.'' One bit of encouragement lies in the fact that they feel that they are a more composed unit this year, quite a bit more formidable all-round in depth compared to any team they brought here in the past three years.

"We didn't have all of our good players last year. This year is the best team we have brought.

"We perhaps had better forwards on a whole last year but overall we are stronger this time.'' Serfontein is hopeful that his team will do better than a year ago, when they lost in the second round to the Celtic Barbarians, whom, he felt, were outplayed in the game. Barbarians went on to beat England in the plate final.

This year, the Barbarians opened with a thrashing of a joint France/Bermuda team and play Canada tomorrow night. Bermuda/France meet England.

More Bermuda players than expected have had to suit up after the French were unable to provide a full squad.

Bermuda national coach Keiron Peackock said that the 16 members of the squad that recently won the Caribbean Championship were excited with the opportunity to play after being asked to fill in as a result of an unexpected shortage experienced at a late stage by the French.

Little is known why so many French players pulled out, but with just eight coming and another due to fly in today the way was paved for many of the local players to participate.

Peacock said that the response was keen, although several were tired after the Caribbean trip.

TRY, TRY AGAIN -- A Celtic Barbarians player races past his opponent en route to another score in Monday's win over a France/Bermuda team at the World Rugby Classic. Both teams will be in action again tomorrow night. Play continues continue tonight at National Sports Club.