Springboks say beating All Blacks better than World Cup

Springboks coach Jake White believes a South African victory in today's Tri-nations match with New Zealand could be the country's greatest achievement in their long and proud rugby history.

South Africa upset the All Blacks to win the 1995 World Cup final in Johannesburg but White says beating them in Dunedin this weekend presents an even greater challenge.

The Springboks have never won at the Carisbrook Stadium, better known as the "House of Pain", and the stakes could not be higher.

Not only would the Springboks retain the Tri-nations title they won last year but they would also overtake New Zealand as the world's number one ranked team.

"We've got 80 minutes. It could be the best 80 minutes in South Africa's rugby history," White told a news conference yesterday.

"You can't make it any bigger than it is. To win the game, you win back to back Tri-Nations, you go to number one in the world, you beat the All Blacks three times in succession.

"The more you talk about it, the more you appreciate just how big this fixture is."

The All Blacks have lost their last two matches away to South Africa, including this month's clash in Cape Town, but haven't been beaten by anyone at home for more than two years.

Victory would still leave them trailing South Africa in the championship standings but they could snatch the title if they also won their final game at home against an injury-depleted Australia.