With the All Blacks back in South Africa for a four-Test series, Sean Fitzpatrick has been reflecting on what that 1996 series win — the first by New Zealand on South African soil — meant to him personally. His verdict is unambiguous: it eclipses his 1987 World Cup win as his greatest achievement in rugby. Speaking at the unveiling of the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry trophy in Johannesburg, Fitzpatrick described the physical and mental demands of that era — 10 Tests in 12 weeks in the first year of professional rugby — and framed the win as beating 'childhood heroes' his predecessors had never managed to overcome. His message to the current All Blacks squad attempting to repeat the feat against the world champion Springboks: relentless execution, no lax moments, no bad set-piece — because against the Boks at home, any lapse is fatal.
Fitzpatrick: Beating the Boks in South Africa in '96 tops everything — including the World Cup
Fitzpatrick rates the 1996 series win in South Africa above his World Cup triumph, calling it his greatest achievement — and his advice to the current All Blacks chasing the same feat against the Boks is blunt: be relentless, or pay for every mistake.
Brown confirms post-2027 All Blacks move but eyes World Cup glory with Boks first
Springbok attack coach Tony Brown will join Dave Rennie's All Blacks staff from 2028, but remains committed to helping South Africa win a third successive World Cup title before his departure.
Tony Brown to join All Blacks backroom staff in 2028 after Springbok contract ends
NZR have confirmed Tony Brown will join the All Blacks' backroom staff in 2028 on a two-year contract, with the Springboks attack coach set to depart after the 2027 Rugby World Cup. It is the third time NZR have pursued Brown, having previously been rejected during the Foster and Robertson eras.
Boks remain top but All Blacks close gap to 2.90 points after Nations Championship opener
South Africa stay top of the World Rugby Men's Rankings at 93.94 points but New Zealand have cut the gap to 2.90 after beating France, while Scotland climb to equal their all-time high of fifth following a record 47-38 win over Argentina in Córdoba.
Hansen's Right to Back Himself — But the Boks' Five-Match Streak Tells a Different Story
Jean de Villiers acknowledges Hansen's logic but argues last year's results and performances make it hard to see the All Blacks closing the gap on the Boks — and the panel get genuinely animated over what a 2-2 series tiebreaker would even look like.
Keo & Zels: Stubborn All Blacks policy make Boks smile
The boys love that New Zealand keep picking their second-best, long may it continue.