The All Blacks have turned to a war hero for inspiration ahead of their World Cup semi-final showdown against South Africa.

With Saturday's crunch match at Twickenham expected to be filled with military symbolism and a trench warfare mentality on both sides, Victoria Cross winner Willie Apiata has joined the All Blacks camp.

Apiata was awarded the highest British Commonwealth honour for bravery when he carried a gravely wounded comrade across a battlefield, under fire, to safety in Afghanistan.

"He's a special New Zealander," All Blacks captain Richie McCaw said on the eve of the Test, Friday.

"He's a good man to have around and the boys enjoy hearing a few of his stories and calming words.

"If you talk about being in pressure environments, he's probably been in environments that are a damn sight more pressured than we end up with."

The All Blacks have maintained close military links in recent years.

Before a French Test in 2000, then captain Anton Oliver led his side to a Belgian cemetery, the burial site of 1905 captain Dave Gallaher who was killed at the Battle of Passchendale in 1917.

Apiata, a former corporal in the SAS, was also invited into the All Blacks camp before they beat France in the 2011 World Cup final.

Source: AFP