Tri-Nations Decided – Pride still on the Table

The New Zealand All Blacks may have won the 2006 Tri-Nations without breaking a sweat, but there are still three exciting Rugby Test matches left.

The South African Springboks meet the Champions on Saturday the 26th and aren't going to make it easy for the men in black!

The Tri-Nations is over - but there are piles of pride on the table and up for grabs! No one likes to come last, and so Australia and South Africa will be fighting it out for the spot as first loser.

The Springboks certainly have a crack at it. Traditionally stronger at home and at altitude, the Bok's still have three matches to regain and restore much of their lost pride. If Jake White's team can win all three games with bonus points, they will finish second and one point behind the mighty All Blacks. Not a bad place to be when you consider the carnage they've endured this season thus far!

Their first match, as mentioned against the Kiwi's, is at the much revered Loftus Versveld. Not one touring team in the history of rugby union has ever had anything good to say about this venue. South African's love it, of course, but the cold, thin highveld air and the aggressive partisan crowd make playing the home team an absolute nightmare. Of course the All Blacks will be up for it, they always are, but I have a feeling the Springboks are going to stun the rugby world with a solid and somewhat sensationalized victory.

The next match, one week later, is between the Springboks and the All Blacks once again. This time at the unknown Royal Bafokeng Stadium. Teeth will be bared and it won't matter that the venue is not exactly what these teams will be used to, the traditionally explosive and thunderous atmosphere of an All Black Springbok Test match, that is undoubtedly the biggest rivalry in World Rugby, will make this an unbelievable occasion.

Win or lose, the Springboks will then have the Wallabies at Ellis Park a week later. Ellis Park is the ground where the Springboks won the World Cup in 1995 and the memories of that monumental day are still fresh in the hearts of every New-South-African. The Wallabies will be at a serious disadvantage, again because of the altitude and the passionate crown, yet the Bok's, having just played the All Blacks two weeks in a row could be seriously battered and bruised.

As usual we'll just have to wait and see, as the epic three weeks enfold. Catch all the results and opinions exclusively in Suite101's Rugby & Cricket section.