It's usually a torrid tussle when the All Blacks and Springboks clash and World Cup statistics point to something similar in this weekend's semifinal.

If you think the All Blacks have been vastly superior to the Springboks at this World Cup, think again. The stats show how close these teams are heading into this weekend's monumental semifinal at Twickenham in London (4am NZ time).

Yes the All Blacks have scored more tries, with their figures inflated by last week's – nine-try 62-13 demolition of France.

But the Springboks have recovered strongly from their shock loss to Japan and match the All Blacks in most areas.

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Here's how the official World Cup statistics stack up between the two old enemies.

WINS

NZ 5, SA 4

LOSSES

NZ 0, SA 1

POINTS SCORED

NZ 236, SA 199

Average per game: NZ 47.20 SA, 39.80

METHOD

Tries: NZ 34, SA 24

Conversions: NZ 24, SA 14

Penalties: NZ 6, SA 15

Drop goals: NZ 0, SA 2

ATTACK

Metres made per match (avg): NZ 615.40, SA 531.60

Metres made per pass (avg): NZ 3.22, SA 3.15

Team carries over gainline (%): NZ 68%, SA 67%

DEFENCE

Tackles made per match (avg): NZ 93.60, SA 117.40

Tackles missed per match (avg): NZ 12.40, SA 12.20

Tackles success per match (avg): NZ 81.20, SA 105.20

Turnovers won: NZ 36, SA 34

Turnover own half: NZ 26, SA 23

SCRUMS

Own scrum success (total): NZ 100, SA 96

Scrum lost on own ball per match (avg): NZ 0.00, SA 0.20

LINEOUTS

Lineout throw not straight per match (avg): NZ 0.00, SA 0.00

Lineout steals per match (avg): NZ 2.00, SA 1.40

KICKING

Kicks from hand per match (avg): NZ 30.00, SA 38.80

DISCIPLINE

Red cards: NZ 0, SA 0

Yellow cards: NZ 3. SA 2

Handling errors per match (avg): NZ 1.20, SA 1.20

Penalties conceded per match (avg): NZ 9.20, SA 11.80

Penalties conceded per match in own half (avg): NZ 5.20, SA 6.60

Penalties conceded per match at line out (avg): NZ 0.40, SA 0.40

Penalties conceded per match at scrum (avg): NZ 2.00, SA 1.00

Free kicks conceded per match (avg): NZ 0.40, SA 0.80