Proud Springboks still the biggest challenge for All Blacks

Uncomfortable, unspoken questions have hung over the Springbok camp in Wellington this week.

South Africa’s record against the All Blacks has lost its shine.

Since the historic first series win over the Springboks in 1996, the All Blacks have won 28 of the 40 tests between the sides.

And it has been three long years since a South African win, in Port Elizabeth, and five years since they tasted success on New Zealand soil one night in Hamilton.

And yet, today’s test in Wellington still feels like the biggest of the Rugby Championship this year.

“These are the ones you get excited about,” All Blacks captain Richie McCaw said on the eve of the test.

“Every match [against the Springboks], if you come out the right side it comes down to a hell of a lot of hard work. You work for everything you get and tomorrow will be exactly the same. I’ve never had one that you walk off going ‘that was pretty straight forward.’ ”

Last year’s Johannesburg epic backs up McCaw’s words, but still doubts linger over whether the Springboks are actually capable of ending their drought tonight.

They have been unconvincing in two wins over Argentina and paid for some atrocious tactical kicking during a wet loss to Australia in Perth last week.

Coach Heyneke Meyer has been hammered by the unavailability of a cast of experienced overseas-based stars and has entered uncharted waters in naming 20-year-old Handre Pollard to start at first five-eighth.

Add in the fact Meyer left hooker Bismarck du Plessis, a man the All Blacks hold on a pedestal, on the reserves bench, and the visitors are playing the underdog role to perfection.

And yet, for all that, there is that feeling in the air only the All Blacks and Springboks can create. This remains the greatest of rivalries.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen struck a confident and relaxed figure earlier this week, but his nerves will fray as kickoff approaches.

Meyer has played a clever hand. He has talked this week about playing “unconventional” and “unorthodox” rugby.

He has thrown a curve ball in handing Pollard the No 10 jersey ahead of Morne Steyn and has a trump card up his sleeve in captain Jean de Villiers’ 100th test.

A special jersey presentation before kickoff will be one of high emotion for a player who represents everything good about the Springboks.

On the wing Bryan Habana is a motivated man after his own 100th test was spoilt by a horrible refereeing decision in Perth, and a third centurion, lock Victor Matfield, has the bit between his teeth after warming up against Australia with his first match in seven weeks.

Will South Africa really turn up to play? Will they throw the ball wide to 21-year-old centre Jan Serfontein? Or is Meyer doing a rope-a-dope? Has he looked at an All Black pack missing Sam Whitelock and Liam Messam and decided to go for the jugular?

The Springboks have an imposing tight five and an underutilised genius in fullback Willie le Roux.

There is a beautiful uncertainty, the weather included.

What’s not in doubt is the All Blacks will try their best to unsettle Pollard early. Big runners like Kieran Read, Luatua, Ma’a Nonu and Julian Savea will make a beeline for the 9-10 channel.

No 8 Duane Vermeulen will counter with his defensive clout. Fellow loose forwards Marcell Coetzee and Francois Louw are experts over the ball at ruck time and will look to slow the All Blacks machine.

And, perhaps more than anything, South Africa will be desperate to answer those unspoken questions.

– The Dominion Post