Former All Black Murray Mexted has a deep affection for South Africa, but he also knows better than most how demanding a tour there can be.
With the All Blacks embarking on their first full tour of South Africa in 30 years, Mexted believes those unfamiliar with the challenges of playing in the Republic are in for a rude awakening.
“They are fanatical, quite different from New Zealand,” Mexted told RNZ.
The All Blacks opened their tour with a 38-21 win over the Stormers on Saturday and play their second provincial match against the Sharks in Durban on Wednesday morning.
Durban holds a special place in Mexted’s South African memories. He spent two seasons there playing for Natal after first arriving in the country in the mid-1970s as part of his OE.
He was drawn to South Africa because it was “wild and exciting”.
Murray Mexted during the 1986 Cavaliers tour of South Africa.
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Like many players of his era, Mexted had very little contact with South Africa before then. He played in the three-test series against the Springboks in New Zealand in 1981 before returning five years later as a member of the Cavaliers squad that toured South Africa in 1986.
He has been returning regularly ever since, but a problem with a replacement knee has prevented him from following the current tour in person. Instead, he will be watching from home on television.
Mexted’s experience of South African rugby stretches back to a very different era. On the 1986 Cavaliers tour, the New Zealand side played 12 matches, winning eight. They lost to Transvaal in Johannesburg and went down 3-1 in the unofficial test series.
Now, with many members of the current All Blacks squad visiting South Africa for the first time, Mexted expects them to discover just how intense the rugby environment can be.
He said the two nations have the “ultimate respect” for each other.
“We’re probably the only ones they do respect. They have disregard for everyone else.
“Sometimes I wonder if we can live up to the reputation we have in South Africa. We are revered in that country as rugby players. They like us as well, believe it or not.”
That respect will not make the tour any easier.
Mexted believes all six of the All Blacks’ remaining matches in South Africa will be tough, particularly the three tests in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Soweto.
The tour will then conclude in the United States with a fourth test against the Springboks in Baltimore.
The 72-year-old said he would be more than happy if the All Blacks emerged from the series with a 2-2 record.
“It is the most competitive environment you can go to as a rugby player.
“There isn’t any rugby team in the world that could go on this tour and win every game. This is the hardest place to go and tour.”