In preparing for the pivotal third Test in Soweto this weekend, a fixture which will surely rank as one of the sporting occasions of the year, the All Blacks will draw strength from the deeds of the “Incomparables” of 30 years ago.
That series win in South Africa – the first and only one by New Zealand – will provide an appropriate backdrop this week before a match at what will be a packed FNB Stadium because of the courage it took from the All Blacks to hold out the Springboks in that second and defining Test in Pretoria all those years ago.
The All Blacks had gone into the clash at Loftus Versfeld following a 23-19 victory in Durban the previous weekend. Win at Loftus and the series was theirs and they did it with a scoreline of 33-26 (coincidentally the scoreline of the second Test of the current series won by the Boks) with a defensive effort that has become legendary.
In an interview with South Africa’s Daily Maverick last month, “Incomparables” skipper Sean Fitzpatrick said: “I say to anyone, and I said to the current All Black manager, if you want to see what it takes to win in South Africa, show them the last three minutes of that Loftus game. And you’ll realise that we are dying on our feet. That’s what it takes.”
Fitzpatrick, a flagbearer in the first Test of the current series at Ellis Park a fortnight ago, and some of his teammates spoke to the All Blacks before this tour and would have given similar insight and messaging.
Midfielder Jordie Barrett said overnight that honouring them would play a part of their preparation.
“It’s massively motivating,” Barrett said. “We talk about honouring the black jersey and the people who have gone before us. It would be a great way to honour the teams that have had success here in the past.”
Another who has provided some insight into what it takes to succeed in a highly pressurised sporting arena is golfer Ryan Fox, the Kiwi who delivered against the odds in the British Open recently with a fearless approach that the All Blacks may need to emulate in terms of their attack.
The All Blacks have outscored the Boks nine tries to four over the first two Tests with an ambitious and optimistic attack that is not without risk but which can be devastating if done right.
It is a game plan which makes the most of their natural skills and ability to see and exploit space. The challenge for Barrett and his teammates on Sunday will be finishing the opportunities they create better than they did in last weekend’s defeat in Cape Town.
He said: “When you’re a team that creates a lot and uses the ball a lot … you’re going to leave a lot more out there… Our attacking numbers were a lot better than the first Test but we didn’t win the game…
“Those good moments have come from us being mentally free, brave, using the ball, defensively coming forward and meeting the collision,” Barrett added.
“Just that fearless approach that we’re going to need against the best side in the world. They [the Boks] were a lot better in that area in the [last] Test. They converted a lot of points when they got into our 22. They were a bit off there in the first Test. You’ve got one crack and you don’t get a lot of moments to ice games at this level.
“If you don’t win this game you don’t win the series so what an exciting challenge for us.”
Barrett said there were plans in place to be better under the high ball – an issue again for the All Blacks at DHL Stadium.
Limiting the Boks’ entrance into the All Blacks will also be important, although easier said than done, and Thursday’s announcement of the team for the final match in South Africa (there is one more Test to come in Baltimore) will be eagerly awaited by fans of both teams.
The Springboks have already announced theirs but again their line-up probably won’t bear much resemblance to the personnel who run out on Sunday.
The main intrigue may concern the All Blacks’ bench, with loose forward Ethan Blackadder potentially providing a role after his excellent performance against the Lions and conjecture over whether the dangerous Emoni Narawa or Rieko Ioane or even Richie Mo’unga could make an appearance.
Interestingly, it is said that security around the All Blacks has been ramped up this week - potentially to help prevent some of the distractions, including people setting off car alarms in the middle of the night near the team’s hotel, that were around 30 years ago.
Again, Fitzpatrick provided some insight here: “The things that really stood out for me were the intensity on the field, obviously, but also off the field. It was just relentless,” he said.
“The car alarms were a big part of it, but that’s just all part of the experience. I always say, me being the most hated man in South Africa in those days, was a mark of respect. At least that’s what I tell myself.”
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