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Sport Nation
How to tune into Sport Nation'It was quite emotional': Sean Fitzpatrick reflects on historic 1996 series win in South Africa
Sport Nation • October 17th, 2025 11:28 am
Sean Fitzpatrick celebrates in Pretoria during the All Blacks 1996 tour | Photo: Photosport
The All Blacks and Springboks are set to reignite Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry with a historic reciprocal tour, the first of its kind in 30 years.
Sean Fitzpatrick, the last man to captain the All Blacks on a full tour of South Africa in 1996, joined Sport Nation Mornings on Friday to reflect on the lasting weight of the rivalry.
“I look back to my childhood, growing up in the 70s, that game was the one game that you had to wake up at 3 o'clock in the morning to watch," he said.
Fitzpatrick opened up about the emotional pull of touring in Springbok country during his playing days.
"When we won in Pretoria, he (Don Clarke) literally came up to me in the tunnel as I was walking off and hugged me. And in those days, All Blacks didn't really hug each other.
"He said, ‘Thank you so much for doing something that no other All Black team has ever done, win a series in South Africa, I can die a happy man.’
"It was quite emotional," Fitzpatrick recalled.
That's why the occasion still holds it presence, not just to the fans, but the two teams who have been to battle for over 100 years.
“I think this (rivalry) is as great as it's ever been.”
This is 19 minutes of Sean Fitzpatrick at his absolute best.
Listen to the full interview below:
