As the spectre of the All Blacks’ Loftus Versfeld record looms large over the Springboks, Handré Pollard is bracing himself for a backlash when the sides meet on Saturday. The game is seen widely as the All Blacks’ chance for redemption after a rare home defeat while the Springboks are priming themselves to do something that has eluded them since the game became professional in 1996: beat New Zealand at Loftus Versfeld. Pollard said the All Blacks would be champing at the bit after slipping up in Wellington last month. Meanwhile, the Boks have more than that point to prove: they have not beaten the All Blacks in four attempts in Tshwane since 1996. "The All Blacks have a history of firing back at a 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 but we’re at home and we need to match that or go one step further," the flyhalf said.
"People will have expectations because it was a big win, but we’re just foc...
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