The Auckland agony: New Zealand rugby's Eden a place of pain for Springboks

While those in Christchurch may disagree, Auckland remains the heartbeat of New Zealand rugby.

When the rugby pulse in the Land of the Long White Cloud's biggest metro is functional, it shows in All Black rugby.

New Zealand haven't lost a Test in Auckland since 1994. Oddly, the Boks came close to stamping their names on that record with an 18-18 draw soon after France's 23-20 win earlier in the same year.

Since then, the All Blacks have only really been challenged by the French, notably in the 2011 Rugby World Cup final the hosts won 8-7, with every challenger being waylaid.

South Africa have won only two of their 11 Tests in Auckland, with both those successes being pre-Second World War events.

That's a mean record and one the Boks must confront when they meet the All Blacks at the rather unusual venue of Mount Smart Stadium on Saturday. For those wondering, Eden Park has been requisitioned for the Women's Football World Cup.

Here are the Boks' low moments in Auckland in the professional era:

New Zealand 55-35 South Africa: 9 August 1997

Carel du Plessis's Springboks were fresh off a routine Brisbane bruising when they made this trip across the ditch for what was a day game.

At 23-21 at half-time, the Boks may have thought they were in with a shout, especially after fluffing a 23-7 lead to lose 35-32 at Ellis Park earlier in the tournament.

Andre Venter was then sent off for stamping on Sean Fitzpatrick's head and, with that numerical disadvantage, the Boks were made to pay.

It was the first time they conceded 50 points in a Test and, as history would show, it wasn't going to be the last.

New Zealand 26-15 South Africa: 25 August 2001

The Boks were far better in this outing, but the All Blacks kept the Springboks try-less, not