All Blacks v Springboks
Kick-off: 7:05pm Saturday 6 September
Eden Park, Auckland
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
The world champion Springboks are under no illusions how monumental their task is against the All Blacks this weekend, and not just because they are playing at Eden Park. Despite winning three World Cups in the professional era, they have only managed to win four tests on New Zealand soil in total, something that coach Rassie Erasmus is highly aware of.
"World Cups was great that we won it, Lions series was great. But we haven't been very successful here, over the years. So for us, even though the Eden Park thing, just to win in New Zealand is a massive thing,' he said at the Springboks' first media session of the week in Auckland.
Erasmus can at least boast some positive experience, having guided the Springboks to a 36-34 upset win over the All Blacks at Sky Stadium in 2018, then returned the next year to the same venue to draw 16-all in the sides' final match before the World Cup.
South Africa celebrate their win over the All Blacks 2018. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
"We all know about the record at Eden Park, and I really don't think that can motivate us more. You know, for us to play New Zealand in New Zealand, number one and two in the world currently, it's really something else to motivate you more."
Lock RG Snyman, who played on the same Leinster team as Jordie Barrett this season, was in no doubt about the significance of playing the All Blacks and what it means to win here.
"It's kind of the pinnacle. As a Springbok player, you want to play New Zealand. If you get the opportunity to play New Zealand in New Zealand, it's even more special. It doesn't matter where in New Zealand it is. It's certainly a special occasion."
Erasmus was keen to point out that for all the handwringing by All Black fans over their last result, a loss to the Pumas in Argentina, Scott Robertson's side has still had far more success than failure.
Springboks RG Snyman and All Blacks Tupou Vaa'i. Photo: Lynne Cameron/ActionPress
"We have to stay in the reality that it's a team that only lost once this year, and eight out of 10 times they've won. So we know they're right up there."
The Springboks are sweating on the fitness of skipper Siya Kolisi, with Erasmus saying the flanker is "touch and go" for Saturday's test.
"It's one of those calls that's a bit longer term, he'll definitely be available next weekend (for the second test in Wellington."
Erasmus was keen to play down the assertion of his assistant coach Tony Brown that this weekend's test is the biggest since the World Cup final.
'If I say that, Australia will say 'well, we beat you two weeks ago'," he said.
"There's a big rivalry with New Zealand and a healthy one, since I can remember when we weren't allowed to play international rugby, New Zealand teams were the ones we watched when we were small boys … there's a big history. To say it's the biggest game would be a slap in the face of some of the other teams who have beaten us … but yes, it is a big game."
