It was 2010 and the All Blacks returned to the safety of their Eden Park fortress still hurting from the memory of what had been a horrific previous year.
The Springboks came to New Zealand as Tri-Nations champions - their competition victory in 2009 based on a kick and chase game that worked well. Their series win also included their last victory on these shores - at Hamilton, where they beat the All Blacks 32-29.
For the All Blacks it was a chance to right the wrongs of losing three straight matches to their greatest rugby rival.
South Africa were expected to dominate through their forward pack but were humbled by the All Blacks up front and with tries to Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Kieran Read and Tony Woodcock in a 32-12 drubbing.
An incident in the first 90 seconds involving All Black halfback Jimmy Cowan and Springbok enforcer Bakkies Botha would see the latter banned from the game for nine weeks.