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There is a rich rivalry between the rugby giants of New Zealand and South Africa and invariably the encounters have been a cut above any other battles between any other nations.
As an All Blacks fan, I consider the Springboks our greatest foe.
Many of the battles have seen battered and bloody bodies strewn across stadia in both of our countries. There have been tackles that have sent shivers up my spine while peering through splayed fingers.
At times I have had to remind myself to breathe. I expect nothing but the same come Sunday morning.
It is fair to point out that the All Blacks thrashed England in 1995 only to be pipped at the post by the Springboks in the final. However, I believe that this match is a vastly different prospect.
Ellis Park was a cauldron of Bok emotion with a siege mentality and yes, the All Blacks’ ill health was also a contributing factor to their demise that day.
Writ large in rugby folklore,this was the most difficult loss as an All Black fan I have ever experienced.
Not knowing how the players were affected by illness as I watched, I could not grasp how they were playing after they had torn apart every other team before them in the tournament.
Mehrtens kicked more than he had previously and the All Black machine appeared uncharacteristically clunky. There was a lack of patience in building phases or pressure and there was an ‘energy’ missing from the men in black.
The All Blacks and the Boks were virtually even in wins against each other going into the final and the Boks had an extremely torrid battle in their semi against France in atrocious conditions, which very nearly got away from them.
It’s worth reminding ourselves that in 80 minutes of regular time after Andrew Mehrten’s had missed a drop goal in a handy position in the final moments, nothing could separate these nations on the scoreboard. Neither team had managed to successfully cross the other one’s tryline.
In added extra time, after regular time was complete, Joel Stransky grabbed his opportunity with both hands and immortalised himself with a desperately taken dropped goal under a wave of pressure from a clearly fatigued All Black defence.
The final whistle rang out like the howl of a rabid wolf.
I was on bended knees behind my couch, white knuckled, with my head just peering over, fingernails embedded into the fabric, akin to the old ‘Kilroy was here’ graffiti.
My immediate reaction was visceral and I would have rivaled any banshee with my primal scream.
Nothing was right in the universe that night.
The amateur era was over and in the grand scheme of things the ’95 final was the best outcome for South Africa and it’s turbulent and fragile state. I accept that now.
But it is still South Africa I love to watch the All Blacks defeat. They are the All Blacks’ most worthy opponents.
Some younger fans consider Australia to be the one we like to beat the most now, but the history between the All Blacks and South Africa has woven such a colourful tapestry that they still stick in my mind.
This is the professional era and the All Blacks have tipped the scales in their favour considerably since that momentous occasion.
The chatter coming out of the All Black camp is exactly what I needed to hear, as Richie McCaw said this week, “All we have done is earn the right to be here for another week”.
It’s comments like this that assuage any fear I might have that the All Blacks are thinking about anything else besides South Africa.
Once again, get it wrong and the dream will be over.
The Sydney Test that The All Blacks lost against the Wallabies a mere two months ago is a stark lesson on what will happen if the All Blacks bring the wrong attitude.
Now then…
Springboks! Something wicked is coming your way and it carries with it a great darkness. Until then, Bokke.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.