I've just seen the team sheet for the All Blacks vs Springboks game. I'm more excited than at any time during last season - because this time, it's about the rugby.

The weather reports are not good, and it will affect the handling, and the pace of the game of course. It will affect the outcome. But some things are above temperatures and wind-speed. The fire of pride will still be burning bright in the hearts of 30 young athletes attempting to maim each other on the park, and maybe the cold will only serve to numb the inevitable bruising nature of these Tests.

There's been an exodus, there's been quotas, there's rotation, and selection policy - and the bane of all sport, injury to players. We are witnessing changing times, even from day to day our beloved game is seemingly being wrestled from our grasp, by those who may value it less but are in a position to pay more. There are rule changes that may alienate some, or thrill others. There are statistics and records. There are trophies and rankings. There is Tradition.
And it all matters, of course, the history and the future of the game. Perhaps it is even more fitting if this game is played during a storm to reflect where we are standing as fans and followers. It might be also an opportunity to point out something unique, something above money and politics.

On Saturday the 5th of July the true supporters will turn their mind and heart towards the game, for some earlier in the piece, for some at a short time before the glorious and sacred moment of Kick Off. Perhaps we will look into the face of an icy gale at the ground, or over a shoulder a crowded bar with mates, settled into the sofa at home with family or friends around a television. Maybe a long way from that home in foreign lands. At that time though the New Zealand All Blacks will take on the South African Springboks. And regardless of the result, or how the result is decided we know one thing should be appreciated:

There's nothing like an All Blacks vs Springboks Test in the world to many of us. This is Our Rugby. Lucky bastards aren't we.