DURBAN - New Zealand rugby's record test pointscorer, Andrew Mehrtens, says he is neither intimidated by Ellis Park, nor is the ground a jinx for the All Blacks.
The New Zealanders have lost both times the first five-eighths has played there against the Springboks.
After listening and reading how the legendary Johannesburg venue was a graveyard for him and the team over the past four years, Mehrtens returns there on Sunday (NZ time) hoping to bury that "myth."
The return Tri-Nations clash between the All Blacks and the Springboks is shaping up to be a fierce contest, with the former needing the win to keep the heat on title rivals, the Wallabies, and the Springboks under enormous pressure to end a four-game losing streak.
It might also help coach Nick Mallett keep his job a while longer.
Mehrtens, who last played a test at Ellis Park in the 22-32 loss in 1996, said results at the ground had been coincidental.
"I know a lot of people speculate that I personally or the team has a jinx there," Mehrtens said.
"But I enjoy playing there because there's always a great atmosphere.
"I don't necessarily have a problem with Ellis Park. South Africa is a tough place to win - no matter which ground you play on."
The All Blacks have played four tests at what has been described as the most intimidating rugby venue in the world since 1992.
They won the 1992 test 27-24, before Mehrtens' time; lost the 1995 World Cup final to the Springboks 12-15 after Mehrtens missed what could have been the winning drop goal; lost in 1996 after winning New Zealand's test series in the Republic for the first time; and won the 1997 match 35-32 when Carlos Spencer was at No 10.
"It's a tough venue, but it's not an impossible venue," Mehrtens said. "I like playing at altitude. It's just nice to thump a ball with a little less effort than normally and see it sailing off into the distance ideally.
"The first time I played there it wasn't even against South Africa. It was against Ireland in the (1995) World Cup and Wales as well.
"So I've had a couple of good games there.
"I suppose some of our disappointing results of recent years have been at Ellis Park, but I think that's been coincidence more than anything. I don't have a mental problem with the venue."
Mehrtens said that if match preparation was right, the venue, atmosphere and altitude conditions played little part.
"It's really an individual thing. A lot of it is being organised, and sort of dotting your i's and doing those little extra sessions.
"But South Africa does require a different approach, simply because it's the most physical test you get to play in.
"You know it's going to be just bash at times, so that requires different preparation."
Mehrtens said he relished the intensity of clashes between the All Blacks and Springboks.
"Australia? I don't think they are intimidated by playing the All Blacks, but physically you can get into them more than you can against the Boks because the Boks relish the physical challenge."
Meanwhile, all is not well in the South African camp with the players angry at a decision to emblazon the name of a popular brand of beer across the green jersey.
The jerseys, unveiled yesterday and to be worn this weekend, contain the sponsor's name, Castle Lager, in gold letters across the front.
The deal is understood to be worth 15 million rand ($4.97 million) a year for five years.
Sarfu chief executive Rian Oberholzer confirmed senior players had sought a meeting with Sarfu.
"It is nothing new. Most of the big teams have lettered branding on their chests. The players were aware of what was coming. They were even shown the design," he said.
"It is tasteful, it is within International Rugby Board regulations and it will not detract from the tradition of the Bok jersey.
"Having Castle's lettering on the front will not devalue it."
On the field, second five-eighths De Wet Barry has been ruled out after failing a fitness test on a strained hamstring, thus confirming a reprieve for Robbie Fleck.
All Blacks test programme 2000
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