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Hamilton - Springbok vice captain Victor Matfield on Friday described a Test match victory against the All Blacks in New Zealand as "bigger than any of our victories so far", while captain John Smit spoke of his burning desire to experience the feeling at the Waikato Stadium on Saturday.
Smit was injured in a spear tackle by All Black strongman Brad Thorn a year ago, and missed the watershed, 30-28 victory in Dunedin that was a first for the Springboks, captained by Matfield, in the South Island town. That was only South Africa's second Tri-Nations win in New Zealand dating back to 1996.
A third victory on Saturday would be all the sweeter for Smit and his players, as they would become the first Springbok side to lift the Tri-Nations trophy on the same occasion, surely not resisting the chance to parade it on a lap of honour.
"We haven't had a sniff of it (Tri-Nations trophy) since 2004. So it would be about us breaking a run and getting our hands on it a few more times than usual.
"It's been tough and they (New Zealand) have dominated and rightly so. They've played the best rugby in the past to do that," said Smit.
"It's a tough Tri-Nations and it's only gotten tougher with the two extra games. To win it is no small feat in this day and age," added the Bok captain of the occasion and the accomplishment has brought the world champions to within two points of adding the Tri-Nations silverware to the Webb Ellis Trophy.
Last year South Africa won in Dunedin, but New Zealand retained the trophy. Smit said of that watershed and its relevance to Saturday's Test.
"These blokes, Victor (as captain), broke that drought. I was on the couch watching. But I think certainly it is something that has given the guys a lot of confidence.
"To replicate that is the motivation, to make sure it (winning in New Zealand) is something done regularly and not just now and again," said Smit.
Asked what it meant to win a Test in New Zealand, Matfield said: "Just go and have a look at the celebrations after the game (in Dunedin). I think it was bigger than any of our victories so far.
"It was really something very special and something we had not done as a team. But as John says, it is something we want to do again and hopefully we can do it a few times in the future.
"But it's definitely not easy and that's why the guys celebrated so much.
"I think it's the toughest task in rugby to come here and beat the All Blacks."
Sizzling sentiments from a man who will play his 89th Test and his 20th against New Zealand (more than any other Springbok).
The New Zealand media have done their best to make the Boks feel as uncomfortable off the field as possible since their arrival from the Gold Coast, whipping the Waikato crowd into a frenzy following Bok coach Peter de Villiers' description of the town as boring.
Smit had to field a barrage of questions, but dealt with these issues diplomatically saying the players had visited Hamilton many times for Super 14 matches, had always been treated well and enjoyed the town.
"Results motivate me and the guys I play for, they motivate me. It's another awesome opportunity against our greatest foe in a Test match. We will play to win and everything else will be a sideline distraction," he said Smit of the desire and focus of the squad.
Former Springbok captain turned TV commentator Bob Skinstad, handed out the Test jerseys with a popular message for the players.
"It is a privilege for me to be on tour with the Boks and I am just happy I don't have to do the daily fitness work," Skinstad quipped.
On a more serious note, he added: "I have one regret and ambition to talk about. The regret is that I should have enjoyed things more when I had the privilege to be in your position.
"When I see how important your role is, not only in South Africa, but also around the world, I realise that I did not appreciate it as much as I should have.
"If you can understand this and embrace it you will go on to be remembered as one of the greatest Springbok teams ever.
"Over the next two year to the 2011 World Cup you will face numerous challenges. If you pour the energy that you will need for these challenges into your preparations for tomorrow's Test you will do well and that is my ambition for this team," said Skinstad, capped 42 times, 12 as captain, for the Springboks.
