Brawn or beauty? It's almost as if the Springboks and All Blacks could be split along those lines.
Not by appearances, of course. We don't want to fire up Eben Etzebeth again.
But rather playing styles. In that regard, a contrasting clash looms in Sunday's World Cup semifinal at Twickenham between the two rugby powerhouses.READ
Brains will also be vital in such a tense, all-or-nothing contest. And the reality is both teams will adopt a bit of both aspects. But there is little doubt the belligerent Boks will predominantly attempt to bludgeon their way to the final, with the odd dropped kick thrown in for good measure.
Provided they get the desired platform - and that's no given - the All Blacks will alternatively back their superior skill sets and flair to zap energy levels and perplex defenders.
Outmuscle versus out-think is another way to describe the differing tactics.
"I think we'll see much of the same from them but to intensify and lift their skill level," flanker Jerome Kaino said. "Given it's a semifinal, teams rise for the occasion."
These two fierce rivals know each other well. Each year they meet twice in the Rugby Championship and further familiarity is established throughout Super Rugby.
There will, therefore, be few surprises on an individual basis but there is a sense the All Blacks have many more variations than the Boks from a collective point of view. Ten wins from the last 12 encounters over the past five years highlights the All Blacks' dominance.
Heyneke Meyer, as coach, has tried to evolve the Boks' outlook and encourage adventure. They posses dangerous attacking threats, first five-eighth Handre Pollard's running game being just one. The midfield of Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel offer pace and strength. Willie le Roux's defence and accuracy under the high ball have been off but his broken field ability cannot be dismissed. Finishers Bryan Habana and JP Pietersen deserve respect too.
Yet with all that backline firepower the shock opening loss to Japan forced the Boks to retreat into their conservative shell. Kick, maul, bash, accumulate has been their modus operandi, with halfback Fourie du Preez controlling and directing big ball carriers.
Having spent the early part of this week analysing footage, the All Blacks are well aware of what's coming.
"They've probably tweaked a number of things since the Rugby Championship," assistant coach Ian Foster observed. "I don't want to say too much about that but they've obviously adopted a style they think they need to win a World Cup. We're working hard on our style for the same objective.
"The last two or three games they've played a game that suits them historically and they've done it very well."
Much of that style revolves around the rolling maul which took apart Samoa. Once the Boks' big legs gather momentum they are near impossible to stop. Combating this area will be a major focus.
"They're certainly pretty forward orientated in how they approach things," No 8 Kieran Read said. "Their drive is a key weapon for them. They're big men in the lineout. Initially you've got to be disciplined so you don't give them a chance to kick out to the corner. Other than that, get up and win the ball."
Fitness and super subs, the likes of Beauden Barrett, Sonny Bill Williams and Charlie Faumuina, shape as other advantages for the All Blacks. They're unlikely to enjoy the same space and freedom France afforded but if they get their tempo going the Boks may struggle to keep up throughout.
"We want guys for 80 minutes playing fast, aggressive rugby and we've worked hard on that," Foster said. "It's not just the fitness it's the squad and the ability to bring guys off the bench to add value in that area. We've seen the benefits of that recently."
