Series win in South Africa next step for All Blacks

It's not quite the final frontier - that looms in Paris next October - but the All Blacks still have plenty to prove to themselves during their two-test rugby safari to South Africa.

The Bledisloe Cup and Tri-Nations silverware is already under lock and key but as head coach Graham Henry pointed out in the afterglow of Saturday night's pulsating 34-27 victory over the Wallabies: South Africa is still a blemish on his international coaching record.

After conquering all before on home ground during his reign, New Zealand are yet to win in the Republic after coming unstuck in Johannesburg and Cape Town during the Henry regime.

In 2004 the curtain fell on Andrew Mehrtens' 70-test career as the Springboks thumped New Zealand 40-26 at Ellis Park to set themselves up for the Tri-Nations title.

Then last year Victor Matfield's forearm concussed Byron Kelleher and his teammates rattled Dan Carter into uncharacteristic errors as the Springboks scored a 22-16 upset win at Newlands over a side fresh from a three-test demolition of the British and Irish Lions.

That recent record guarantees the All Blacks will not be treating South Africa as a glorified victory lap in Pretoria and Rustenberg.

"We haven't a had result in South Africa since this management team has been together so we're keen to get one," said Henry, who has indicated the starting line-up will contain players that emerged unscathed from the carnage at Eden Park.

Although the South Africans are winless after three Tri-Nations outings -- and have just a solitary bonus point -- Henry doubted the underfire Springboks would be an easy proposition.

' 'South Africa in South Africa are a different kettle of fish. They're very motivated, they're hugely physical, they put their bodies on the line," he said.

"They seen to grow an arm and a leg over there."

The prospect of extending the team's 14-match unbeaten streak -- which started in Sydney on the return trip from Cape Town -- is also a motivating factor though the biggest incentive is to win the series within a series in South Africa.

New Zealand have only one series win at the home of their historic rival -- the watershed 2-1 triumph in 1996.

"It's only happened once, when Fitzy (Sean Fitzpatrick) was captain. The boys are aware of those sorts of things," said Henry before flying out to Johannesburg with the remainder of the squad and support staff yesterday.

"They're trying to develop some legacies for this group of players .... I'm sure they look at this as a series to have a crack at."

Lock Chris Jack said while a 3-0 clean sweep over Australia was one to savour the exhausted and battle-scarred All Blacks were quick to refocus.

"To put the Aussies away 3-0 a big effort for us.

"It's great to show we've got the courage and heart to come back (from 11-20 down). It's something that's really grown in this team and we're really proud of.

"It puts the Tri-Nations behind us and now we concentrate on a tour to South Africa -- we haven't had one since Fitzy," the All Blacks senior lock said.

Though some pressure had been alleviated by the double trophy parade around Eden Park on Saturday night, the rigours of a short turn around after a physically bruising encounter and a long journey to high altitude will not aid the All Blacks cause.

"It's going to be a light week physically," Jack said.

"They'll be a lot of mental preparation too -- it's an intimidating place."

- NZPA