New Zealand captain Richie McCaw has revealed his excitement ahead of what he believes will be a "brutal" World Cup semi-final against South Africa.

The All Blacks remain firm favourites to successfully defend their title heading into the last four of the tournament, and McCaw insists that he is ready to embrace the occasion as they prepare for the test against the Springboks at Twickenham.

"It will be a brutal game, but they are the games I love," the 34-year-old told reporters. "If you get the odd scar from it, that's just part and parcel.

"Being in that environment, playing that opposition with that sort of intensity, is why you play the game. If we get the job done, I will take any scar that comes along with it.

"There is genuine desire for tomorrow to come around and get stuck in, but we realise the challenge that the Springboks are going to pose. They are going to be desperate and we've got to match that. It will be brutal because of that."

New Zealand have made one change for the semi-final, with Joe Moody replacing Wyatt Crockett in the front row.