Saturday's second Tri-Nations Test between New Zealand and South Africa marks 100 years of Test rugby at Carisbrook — a ground the Springboks are yet to win at in seven attempts.

The aptly named 'House of Pain' is a small ground by South African standards — it will hold only 29000 on Saturday after additional temporary seating for the Test — is in the inhospitable South Island, and true to form, rain is forecast for Saturday during the match with temperatures between 4-13 degrees Celsius.

The good news for the Boks, whose flyhalf Butch James struggled in the wet and windy Wellington, is the wind is expected to be a gentle 22km/h breeze.

The very first Test between the world's two great rugby nations was in fact played in Dunedin in 1921 — and won 13-5 by the All Blacks. The bad luck number 13 for the Springboks again came into play in 1965, when the All Blacks won 13-0 in Dunedin in one of only two New Zealand victories from seven matches in a second Test at home to the Springboks.

South Africa's good record in second Tests in New Zealand should therefore give Victor Matfield's charges some hope to add to their determination. But then, that very loss in the southern city in 1965 and the seven Springbok losses on the trot, points to a bogey city and a bogey field ready to haunt the Boks again on Saturday.

The All Blacks' love for this venue is further emphasised by the fact that in 35 Tests at the ground the All Blacks have lost just three times — and only once in the last 19 Tests since 1971.

Carisbrook is 130 years old and the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) decreed three years ago that the outdated facilities were not up to standard in the student city.

They have been upgraded and controversial plans are afoot to move the headquarters of Otago rugby to nearer the city centre.

The last Test played at the 'House of Pain' was three years ago when the All Blacks faced the Springboks and won 19-11.

AFP