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.
etienne marais
Guest
Congratulations to the All Blacks, and all of their supporters. You illustrated (again) today that you can win against the Springboks, even in playing our game; you are the only team that can make "ugly" rugby look pretty. Won by 2 points, but better by 10. Absolutely gutted for my team, but happy for yours. Enjoy the festivities and best of luck for next week.
docrugby
Roar Rookie
....and so it came to pass.The All Blacks dug deep and all is safe and secure in the universe tonight.The battle is over and all hang your heads high.Carter's clutch drop goal against the home of pin point accurate drop goal specialists...the irony is not lost on me.
Frontrow
Guest
"They are the All Blacks’ most worthy opponents." Absolutely - always have been - always will be
Raumanga
Guest
re "But the rivalry between NZ and Australia is always potent." Agree, there is no way I would like us to lose the Bledisloe Cup to the Wallabies. Very strong rivalry there. re "I would suspect it hurts a kiwi more to lose to Australia than to lose to the Boks." That's very true. Although that's probably mainly because of the way Australians would behave if they win. I would expect jeering as compared to the sportsman like respect we would get from Springbok supporters where we would joy in the game and the contest more than the winning. There is a mutual respect between the SB's and AB's and I believe it's because of that sportsmanship. I expect is similar to Aussies not wanting to lose to England in cricket. Is this because England doesn't treat Australia as an equal ? but like a little brother that they expect to be weak and that they should beat them every time and so as they don't show Australia any respect. So Australia doesn't want to be beaten by them.
Johnny Boy Jnr
Guest
Diehard - the face plants being ABLE sides in all RWC's from 91 - 07. Overwhelming favourites maybe the exception of 99 and tripping up. In some cases akin to the Aus cricket team scoring 430 in a ODI against Sth Africa only to lose the match.
Groucho Jones
Roar Rookie
"invariably the encounters have been a cut above any other battles between any other nations" Sure. Sure that's right. There's never neen a Bledisloe test to measure up to any Springbok AB game. Ever. Ahem.
Johnny Boy Jnr
Guest
Fair point
Vic
Guest
Ag man, I hate feeling so negative about the Boks. My hope sincerely is for them to win. Are you having a good time there in the land of the Eng?
Harry Jones
Expert
Great post Vic
Gumboot
Roar Rookie
Fantastic Red, I'm looking for a spare room in Bondi, Queensland will suit.......is it OK if I shoot you first? I'll even load it for you. Foker
Gumboot
Roar Rookie
Springboks to outplay new zealand at the breakdown and make it into the final. Do you want a bet? What's the score rockert man?
Damo
Guest
Waz, let them have their rivalry...... Yawn......and we'll take the cup home.
NickSA
Guest
Hi die hard I have to disagree with you. The springboks have the pedigree to score points, they have done so multiple times vs the all blacks. Having said that, I don't think this game is going open up like that. Having rewatched the wales game, it reminded me of the quarter final vs the wallabies in 2011. Ridiculous defense and a great pilfering team which the boks seem vulnerable against. I would say that if the boks have to face aus in the final and pocock is fit, they are going to have a torrid time. I don't think the abs have the same pedigree when it comes to defense or pilfering the ball and I feel this will play right into the bok hands. If the boks apply the same pressure they did against against wales, the all blacks will be creating holes in defense or giving away penalties. Again this is my opinion and come saturday night I could be completely wrong although i hope not :P
NickSA
Guest
Hi Council I see you point but I am also basing my assumption from what I saw during the RC. The springboks absolutely dominated the game right up until the end where the guys lost their puff. It is going to be a massive match! may the best team win!
nickoldschool
Guest
Rebel, I think most people love the AB vs Boks rivalry in rugby, same with all sports rivalries. Then the 2nd part of your sentence says 'being spoken about' and that's where people get sometimes irritated as there are many ways to talk about a match. I think this article is ok and don't overdo it (too much). But I have seen articles or comments on the roar about this rivalry where the author felt the need in a very grandiloquent way, to belittle every other rugby country and had this 'look at us, look at us' feel about it that ruined it for me. Why the need for this?
Yogi
Roar Pro
OK some fair points there, let me clarify. When a Saffa talks about the NZ/bok rivalry as if it is the only thing that matters in rugby, I think they are wrong, but I think they believe what they are saying. When a kiwi talks about that same rivalry, especially on an Australian rugby website, I can't help but think it is a sly backhander to put Aussie rugby fans in our place. I have no doubt that many kiwis have greater respect for the boks than the wallabies, because there have been times over the last few years when the wallabies were a bit flaky. But the rivalry between NZ and Australia is always potent. I would suspect it hurts a kiwi more to lose to Australia than to lose to the boks.
Buk
Guest
Woops - sorry Rebel - you already made this point
Buk
Guest
RK as a parallel, even for some kiwi-born cricket fans I have met over here in NZ, the Ashes for them is the biggest thing in cricket.
Buk
Guest
Yeah DH but I would consider it in order 1. Australia v England at cricket 2. Australia v England at rugby
Red Kev
Roar Guru
Yeah. I mean as a neutral there is no greater rugby game to watch than the Springboks v the All Blacks. I can't understand why Australians get worked up about not being included.