Of the seven titles Scott Robertson won as head coach of the Crusaders, the most special for him remains the first in 2017 when his side crossed the Indian Ocean as underdogs and finished over the top of the Lions at Johannesburg’s Ellis Park.
For him it’s better - to name just a few - than when they repeated the feat against the Lions as favourites in Christchurch a year later. Better, even, than beating a supremely confident Blues at Eden Park in 2022, or coming back from a near hopeless position to beat the Chiefs at Waikato Stadium in his final season last year.
So, Ellis Park holds special memories for Robertson, who, thanks to the 25-17 victory, became the first man to win a Super Rugby title as a head coach as well as a player, and who dusted off his dancing shoes for the first time at that level as a result, a routine that grabbed the attention of the rugby world.
It is a formidable stadium with the steep stands allowing what is inevitably a noisy and partisan crowd a close view of the action.
But for Robertson, it's also his happy place.
As the All Blacks prepare to play there on Sunday morning NZT against the world champion Springboks, who have begun the Rugby Championship with two comfortable away victories over Australia, Robertson’s triumph may be an omen of sorts for the team and their head coach.
And, after parting ways with assistant coach Leon MacDonald, and arriving in South Africa without injured tight forwards Patrick Tuipulotu (calf) and Ethan de Groot (neck), the All Blacks may take anything they can get at this point.
The Boks’ demolition of the Wallabies over two Tests, during which they revealed some of the innovations inspired by head coach Rassie Erasmus and Kiwi assistant Tony Brown, have put them in a good place after they squared their domestic series against Ireland 1-1.
The All Blacks, after a clunky 2-0 series win over England, a predictable try-fest over Fiji in San Diego, a shock loss to Argentina in Wellington, and a confidence-boosting 42-10 victory over the Pumas at Eden Park, will not be at that same level of comfort.
MacDonald’s shock departure, announced last Thursday, has resulted in a coaching reshuffle, with a change of emphasis for Scott Hansen from defence to attack and for Tamati Ellison from part-time contact skills, to fulltime defence.
But there are echoes of seven years ago when Robertson and company, including one Leon MacDonald, travelled to Johannesburg and did the ultimate at 1700m above sea level.
It was especially significant because the Crusaders’ victory broke a title drought of eight years.
In the immediate aftermath of that win, Robertson said: "I'm just really, really pleased for the boys, for the team.
"They've worked so hard and got so close, the most consistent side in Super rugby history... it means we won't get questions from journalists at the start of every season like 'it's been a long time since you've won it, how important is it that you win this year?'.
"Those questions are gone, it plays on their minds. We've got a lot of All Blacks who have been successful on that front and now we've got All Blacks' Crusaders who have made their own history in a famous jersey."
Robertson and the All Blacks arrived in Johannesburg via Sydney overnight and immediately set about acclimatising.
Hooker Codie Taylor, when asked on arrival about playing at altitude on the highveld, said: “It’s just a mindset thing – get out there and get into it and have some fun.”
He added of the Boks: “It’s such a unique rivalry – they’re the best team in the world and they’re playing like it. It’s going to be an awesome challenge for us as a team but we’re looking forward to the next couple of weeks.
Fellow Crusader George Bower, called in to replace de Groot, said: “I’ve only played at Ellis Park once – in 2022. That was an awesome win and one of my favourite games to be a part of.”
That was the Test that effectively saved previous head coach Ian Foster and ensured Foster would continue through to last year’s World Cup.
Another omen? The All Blacks will take that, too.
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