Darren Cave and Donal Lenihan both make New Zealand the slightest of favourites ahead of a World Cup final which has the potential to be a "classic".
South Africa enter the decider as defending champions and devoured the All Blacks 35-7 in a pre-tournament warm-up in Twickenham two months ago.
However, Ian Foster's side have won back-to-back Rugby Championships, despite what has been perceived as a fairly uneven World Cup cycle. They've also found a timely burst of form for the knockouts, their win over Ireland in the quarter-finals a landmark moment for the team.
"South Africa were my favourites coming into the World Cup," Lenihan said on RTÉ's Against the Head. "I think [with] the events of the last two weeks that New Zealand now have a slight edge going into the final.
"Ironically, if New Zealand win the World Cup, they will look back at the series defeat to Ireland last year as the catalyst for what's happened since.
"They've improved immeasurably. People will say South Africa hockeyed them in Twickenham seven or eight weeks ago. But that was a different New Zealand team. Circumstances have changed. I think we have a classic on our hands.
"South Africa - the quarter-final, a classic against France. One point in it. Last weekend, the semi-final against England. One point in it. You just wonder... and with one less day to recover. That could be very significant in the end.
"I think New Zealand, they're peaking at the right time and it goes to show again, you don't need a four-year plan to win a World Cup, you need to get it right in the tournament."
Do New Zealand have a slight edge over South Africa as the two sides prepare for the World Cup final? It's going to be tight but recent changes for the All Blacks might well prove to be the difference. #RTErugby #AgainstTheHead pic.twitter.com/TvhG46ffUc
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Ex-Ireland and Ulster centre Cave acknowledged that he doubted them at the start of the tournament and still feels they don't contain the depth of previous All-Black sides but has been impressed with how they've gelled and developed since the losses to South Africa and France.
"Big picture, I still don't think they have the depth they've had in the past... But the team is starting to pick itself," he said.
"You look through the form of Jordie Barrett at inside centre, Richie Mo'unga has probably been the best 10 in the competition. Scott Barrett has now become one of their best players. Their back-row, all the question marks over Cane...
"I still think the game is a toss of a coin. It could definitely go either way. But given where in terms of the plan they used to beat Ireland - I think the All Blacks are slight favourites this weekend now."
Watch New Zealand v South Africa in the Rugby World Cup final on Saturday from 7pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, follow a live blog on RTE.ie/Sport or the RTÉ News app
