Pollard wary of All Blacks record

While the spectre of the All Blacks’ impressive Loftus Versfeld record looms large over the Springboks, Handre Pollard is bracing himself for a backlash on Saturday.

The game is widely seen as the All Blacks’ chance for redemption after a rare home loss, while the Springboks are priming themselves to do something that has eluded them since rugby union professionalised in 1996 – beat New Zealand at Loftus Versfeld.

Pollard said the All Blacks will be champing at the bit after slipping up in Wellington in September.

The Springboks have not beaten the All Blacks in four attempts in Tshwane since 1996.

“The All Blacks have a history of firing back at 120% when they’ve lost a Test match, when they play the same team.

“We know they’re going to be more accurate and physical we need to match that or go one step further,” Pollard said.

All Black centre Ryan Crotty knows all about winning in Tshwane at Super Rugby level.

He was part of a Crusaders side that crushed the Bulls last year, while two trips with his Super Rugby unit to Johannesburg in the past two years also resulted in wins.

However, the scar of the Wellington loss, the first home loss in nine years against the Springboks, runs deep.

Crotty said they would find a way to channel their hurt into something positive on Saturday. “You have to use it [the hurt] in how you prepare.”

Prior to the Wellington Test, the Boks had only beaten the All Blacks twice in seven years.