In a moment filled with poise and significance, former All Blacks captain Sean Fitzpatrick found himself enveloped in the warmth of Ardie Savea's gesture during the national anthem, a move that deepened the legacy of the All Black jersey. Standing on the field, alongside the current captain, Fitzpatrick was unexpectedly asked to hold the national flag—an honor that initially left him feeling out of place.
"I was a bit awkward to say the least," Fitzpatrick recalls the incident that took place at Ellis Park. As the anthem played, he wondered about his role, until Savea's supportive act transformed the moment.
"Ardie put his arm around me and I was like, ‘My God’,"
Fitzpatrick expressed. "I felt so honoured. What a moment it was, in terms of passing on the baton and the legacy of the All Black jersey."
This year marks the 30th anniversary of Fitzpatrick’s 'Incomparables', and the Greatest Rivalry series has been crafted not just to honor this milestone but also to stimulate the sport's economy. Despite some controversies over its scheduling against the Rugby Championship, Fitzpatrick lauds the initiative.
"I take my hat off to the New Zealand and South Africa rugby unions for creating this Greatest Rivalry series," he states, highlighting the intense fan engagement it has spurred.
The series, though it sidelines other powerhouse teams like Australia and Argentina, is seen as a necessity in evolving the rugby landscape. Fitzpatrick emphasizes that creating captivating and meaningful tours is essential for the sport’s longevity.
"To make our game sustainable going forward we need this engagement. It’s just a matter of finding the windows to be able to create this," he asserts, understanding that not every decision will be universally celebrated but recognizing the importance of continued innovation in rugby.
Meanwhile, the atmosphere in Cape Town contrasted starkly with that at Ellis Park, thanks to a large contingent of All Black supporters. The return of Siya Kolisi, South Africa’s first black Test captain, to the Springboks lineup was highly anticipated.
"This is his town and him returning takes a bit of pressure off Pieter-Steph on his 100th cap. But Siya hasn’t played for a while. Whether he’s fresh enough, I don’t know,"
Fitzpatrick admits, acknowledging both the strategic and emotional weight Kolisi brings to his team.
Finally, Fitzpatrick commends the New Zealand Rugby Union's bold leadership decisions under NZ Rugby chair David Kirk, especially their mid-cycle coaching change, which was aimed at revitalizing the team ahead of the World Cup.
"Big boys making big decisions," Fitzpatrick reflects, pleased with the direction New Zealand Rugby is taking. "We’re seeing the benefits of it now."
Sean Fitzpatrick's engagement with rugby remains as profound off the field—through his chairmanship at Laureus, a global movement harnessing the power of sport for social change—as it was on it, etching an enduring legacy both for himself and for rugby.
