Ahead of the Greatest Rivalry series between the Springboks and All Blacks, Sam Cane has reflected on his fondest memories of tackling South Africa.
Now retired from international rugby, Cane fronted up against the Springboks on 16 occasions during his illustrious playing career, but two fixtures stand out most for him. Both matches took place at the iconic Ellis Park, the ground that will host the opening Test match of the Greatest Rivalry series next month.
The first of which was early in Cane’s career when the flanker was included on the bench for the 2013 Rugby Championship decider in Johannesburg. New Zealand headed into the fixture needing a single log point to clinch the title and secured it when Beauden Barrett recovered from getting streamrolled by Jean de Villiers to score the try that earned the All Blacks a bonus point.
Kieran Read crossed the whitewash soon after to ensure that New Zealand were victorious, and while Cane only came off the bench for a handful of minutes in the latter stages of the game, it remains a memorable occasion for him.
Sam Cane reflects on his favourite victories over the Springboks
“There’s the one where we had to secure a bonus point to win the Rugby Championship. I think it was when Beaudy came on, beat De Villiers, and scored under the posts, and once we’d secured the bonus point through four plus tries, we just needed to win the game,” he said when asked what the most significant wins he had against the Springboks in his career during an appearance on The Aftermatch with Kirst & Beav show were.
“I think I was just on the bench for that and didn’t get much of a run, but it was just awesome to be involved and then again, another massive night out.”
While that was a memorable result, it was the showdown versus the Boks nine years later that still gives Cane goosebumps today. New Zealand arrived in Gauteng off the back of a first-ever series defeat to Ireland in Aotearoa with their then-head coach Ian Foster under the cosh.
At the time, NZ Rugby had already opened talks with Scott Robertson over potentially taking over from Foster and leading the team into the 2023 World Cup, but a player revolt and a victory at Ellis Park saved Foster from the sack.
“The one that sticks out the most was when Fozzie’s job was on the line in 2022,” Cane said, reflecting on the 35-23 victory.
“We had lost to Ireland at home. There had been a change of assistant coaches in that short period; we actually played decently the week before but couldn’t get across the line, and then there’s just all this external noise and pressure.
“We felt it massively, but at the same time, because you’re away as a team, to an extent you can, not block it out, but like really focus in on doing everything possible. There’s no family and friends around; they are nice, but that week was just zoning in completely on everything. Like the leaders took total control, and then for us to do that in that moment… It gives you goosebumps thinking about it.
“We were pretty emotional, some of us, after that game just because of what went into it and what was on the line, and so that one stands out.”
Why Ellis Park is the ground Cane loved playing at most
The two wins over the Springboks that stood out most for Cane both came at the venue that hosted the 1995 Rugby World Cup final, so it comes as no surprise that the ex-All Blacks captain ranks it as the stadium in South Africa that he loves playing at most. However, he has several reasons why he enjoyed the crowd so much.
“Ellis Park for lots of reasons, like there’s the big long walk down out of the tunnel, and then there’s the stairs to get to the changeroom when you are gassed, and you’ve got to jog up there and then walk up the stairs,” he replied when asked which ground was the one he enjoyed visiting most,” he said.
“But it’s mainly the drive-in I reckon because it feels like about a kilometer out from the stadium and there’s just people everywhere. And we’re driving in one day, and there’s a bus of supporters right beside us, and they’re giving us the fingers and everything.
“I thought, just ignore it and stay focused, and Colesy [Dane Coles] is sitting in front of me, and I see down the side of the seats, and he’s giving it straight back to their supporters.
“That whole build-up in the streets aligned, and when you get off the bus, all the supporters are watching you; there’s not too many other places around the world where it’s like that, but the tension or animosity in the air you can feel it.”
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Former fly-half Stephen Donald interjected, saying that ‘it’s not the warmth of Twickenham’ with the All Blacks generally being welcomed with open arms in London.
“No, it’s not the warmth or ‘Yay, the All Blacks are here’; it’s like the knives are out already and ready to be thrown,” Cane replied.
“You can end up thriving off that added pressure, and that feeling of like our backs are against the wall. It’s like us 23 who are running out there today versus the Boks plus everyone in the stadium.”