FOUR TEST series between New Zealand and South Africa is something to quicken the blood of the rugby enthusiast, though the Springbok manager Morne du Plessis may have been slightly carried away by the mounting anticipation here this week when he said: "This is the stuff legends are made of winning the World Cup was great but this is back to the real thing."

He added: "There is no greater challenge than a four Test series against the All Blacks, it is simply part of our history."

The Southern Hemisphere's inaugural Tri Nations series, of which today's Test is the final match, has already been consigned to history. And although having added that trophy to their long list of exploits, Sean Fitzpatrick's 1996 All Blacks are about to attempt something no New Zealand team has ever achieved a series victory in South Africa.

Since competition between the two countries started 75 years ago, the New Zealanders have never won a series here. Neither in 1928, 1949, 1960 nor in the dark days of 1970 and 1976 when the Maori members of the side were given the title of `Honorary Whites' for the duration of the tour, and today South Africa remains the only country which can boast a credit balance against the All Blacks. Played 43, South Africa won 21, New Zealand won 19, drawn 3.

"Of course it's a challenge. It is the challenge, and the dream of any New Zealand kid to come here and beat the Springboks," confided Fitzpatrick the New Zealand captain. "We have all grown up with the knowledge of those great players who have come here and failed, and there is nothing more stimulating than a month long contest between the world's two best teams."

The indefatigable Fitzpatrick, who reputedly still beats all comers in the dreaded Beep Test at All Blacks training, is quick to minimise the idea of revenge for the defeat in last year's World Cup final. "That is behind us now. We let that game get away from us and that's that. But New Zealanders always remember the games they lose rather than those they win, and what happened last year at Ellis Park is never totally forgotten."

With South Africa having lost both full back Andre Joubert and prop Balie Swart through injury, the odds would appear to favour New Zealand for today's match. The All Blacks, despite the absence of Jonah Lomu with a slight knee cartilage tear, still have more pace, flair and attacking options than any other current team in world rugby. The elusive Glen Osborne comes in for Lomu on the left wing, and while the six stone four pounds difference in weight may be a relief for Springbok right winger Pieter Hendriks, Osborne with the ball in hand is still one of international rugby's most dangerous attackers.

The major problem for New Zealand at Newlands today however may well be the conditions as, after a week of fine sunny weather heavy rain lashed the city all day yesterday and the pitch promises to be slow and heavy. Given the way the Springboks, with their banana shaped defensive formation, were able to shut down the All Blacks and play the game at their own pace in Christchurch recently, the pressure will be on New Zealand to maintain possession and keep the ball in play. "Our weaknesses in the last two Tests have been our ball retention and the fact we have not been able to maintain momentum by getting multi phase possession," said All Blacks coach John Hart. "We have huge respect for the South African side, their aggression and defence, and that has certainly been the main focus for our preparation in this match."

As for the world champions, Francois Pienaar and his team appear buoyant and positive, despite their two recent losses in the Tri Nations. "Most people realise we were unlucky not to win both those games," said Pienaar.