“It’s not supposed to be easy”
The All Blacks beat the Springboks at Ellis Park. A week later in Cape Town, it went the other way. Episode nine of Behind The Fern is the week that turned Rugby's Greatest Rivalry presented by Castle Double Malt into a genuine fight, and the moment at the final whistle that showed why this rivalry means something.
A century, and a jersey
Pieter-Steph du Toit marked his 100th test cap by captaining the Springboks to a series-levelling win at DHL Stadium, on home soil, in front of his own fans.
Episode nine catches the scene after full-time: an All Black handing over a signed jersey to mark the milestone. It's a small moment, but it says everything about the respect that sits underneath this rivalry, even at its most brutal.
New Zealand won the opener 33-16. Cape Town squares it at 1-1. One test left, back in Johannesburg, to decide it.
In the sheds
The cameras don't cut away after the loss. Episode nine sits with the group in the changing room. the mood, the character being tested, the conversation already turning to what needs fixing before the decider.
Lions, leopards and a frustrated flanker
Before the Test, All Blacks admin Lima Sopoaga gets a rest day on safari, tracking down the big five between training blocks. Anton Segner gets his moment on camera too, dealing with the frustration of watching from the sidelines.
Watch it now
From the Kruger bush to a DHL Stadium changing room, episode nine takes you through the high of Ellis Park and the disappointment of Cape Town, and ends on one of the most memorable gestures the series has produced.
Watch the full episode of Behind The Fern now.
