When Sean Fitzpatrick, an All Blacks legend, first arrived in Johannesburg, a South African boy warned him about the intensity of the rivalry between the Springboks and the All Blacks. During his visit to Johannesburg International Airport in 1992, the All Blacks captain was sitting in the front of the team bus when a small boy approached the window and showed a sign that read: 'Uli is going to kill you.'
Fitzpatrick recalled this incident in Johannesburg on Wednesday, but the name on the sign—Springboks legend Uli Schmidt—was not a joke for the All Blacks player. This moment became the perfect introduction to the rivalry, which Fitzpatrick considered the ultimate test in world rugby.
He noted: 'Growing up in New Zealand, playing against the Springboks, was our greatest challenge, without a doubt.' He added that his first memory was from the 1976 tour, when the All Blacks took to the dry field wearing knee pads to avoid grass burns, and even then, it was the greatest rivalry.
Subsequently, Fitzpatrick became one of the central figures in this confrontation, leading the All Blacks to their first series victory in South Africa after nearly a century of attempts. He returned to South Africa in 1996, a year after the Springboks crushed the hopes of the New Zealanders by winning the World Cup final in Johannesburg, and this time he left with a historic trophy.
When the All Blacks won the series at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, an iconic photograph was captured showing Fitzpatrick kneeling, beating the ground in joy, while South African spectators watched in confusion. Nearly thirty years later, Fitzpatrick is back in South Africa as part of the 'Rugby's Greatest Rivalry' tour. On Wednesday, he presented the trophy, which will be contested in a four-match series, alongside his teammate from the 1996 Springboks, Gary Teichmann.
However, for Fitzpatrick, this rivalry runs much deeper than the trophy before him. He shared his impressions: 'I never thought I would come to South Africa as an All Blacks player, as an All Blacks captain, and come here in 1992 to play at Ellis Park. It felt like a dream come true.' He also mentioned playing against heroes like Dan Herbert, as well as legends like Uli Schmidt, whom he admired.
The 1996 series was the moment when Fitzpatrick and his generation finally succeeded where many previous All Blacks teams had failed. 'In ninety-six we knew we had a good chance to win the series,' he stated. He added that although the team included senior players who knew the history, they had to teach younger members like Christian Cullen about the legacy and the importance of preparation both on and off the field.
Fitzpatrick emphasized that the pressure extends far beyond the sports field. 'It's a 24/7 challenge. Off the field, it's ridiculous,' he said. He continued, quoting Gary: 'Gary would say the same thing when the Boks come to New Zealand. Everyone has something to say—the old lady in the square tells you that you hit too hard, or did this, or that. That's life when we come here.' He concluded by noting: 'You have people who say, 'We are going to kill you. And we are going to crush you.' And all these things, it's just wonderful! I like it. I like coming back here, to the great rugby country.'