‘Uli is going to kill you’: All Blacks legend Sean Fitzpatrick remembers a rivalry like no other

Sean Fitzpatrick, a legendary All Blacks rugby player, reminisces about a rivalry that no other sporting event could match. On his arrival in Johannesburg for the 1992 tour, a young boy handed Fitzpatrick a sign that read, "Uli is going to kill you." The individual behind the sign was none other than Springboks legend Uli Schmidt.

For Fitzpatrick, the All Blacks–Springboks rivalry was the ultimate test in world rugby, a belief he had since he was young. The rivalry dates back to the 1976 tour when the All Blacks faced the Springboks wearing knee pads to avoid grass burns, marking the beginning of a fierce competition. Fitzpatrick, who led the All Blacks to their first series victory in South Africa in 1996, returned to the country a year later and left with a piece of history.

In 1996, Fitzpatrick and his Springbok counterpart Gary Teichmann unveiled the trophy for the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry tour. For Fitzpatrick, the 1996 series was the moment his generation finally achieved what many All Blacks teams before had failed to do. He emphasized that the rivalry was not just confined to the field, but also extended off the field, with fans making their presence known, often with intimidating comments.

Despite the pressure, Fitzpatrick cherishes his experiences and the great rugby country of South Africa.