Why the All Backs should fear playing at Ellis Park

Although it’s been widely reported that Ellis Park is no longer a fortress, it doesn’t eliminate the fact that the Springboks have a better record against the All Blacks at the historic Johannesburg ground.

Tomorrow’s Rugby Championship clash between the South Africa and New Zealand may be dead rubber, with the latter having successfully defended their title.

But the fact that the Springboks have won eight from the total 14 matches they've played against the number one ranked side in world rugby should not be ignored - even though the Bok coach Heyneke Meyer has said playing on the Highveld is no longer an advantage as it was before.

Here is  why the All Black should fear playing at Ellis Park.

In 2004, the Boks beat New Zealand 40-26 inspired by performances by Joe Van Niekerk at eighth-man and of course a hat rick by centre Marius Joubert.

In 2000 the Springboks were written-off before the game and they stunned the New Zealanders 46-40 going over the try-line six times.

In 1996 New Zealand toured South Africa, playing three games in Durban, Pretoria and Johannesburg. They won the series by beating the Boks in the coast and the capital city, but the Springboks got one over them at Ellis Park when they won 32-22 inspired by a brace from Joost van der Westhuizen.

The 1995 Rugby World Cup final where the Springboks won 15-12, giving a spirited performance inspired by the presence of the first democratic president, the late Nelson Mandela

On the 12 of September in 1970, South Africa even though still under apartheid rule, did beat the New Zealand side in Johannesburg where the boot of full-back Ian McCallum was influential in the 21-17 victory.