The Boks rock, says doc | Manawatu-Wanganui Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Manawatu-Wanganui

There is no cure for being an avid Springbok supporter.

Just ask Wanganui doctor Andrew Brown. He may have been living in the city for 11 years, but when it comes to Springboks v All Blacks showdown, there's only one team that can count on his support - and they ain't wearing black.

Dr Brown, a Cape Town old boy - he attended Stellenbosch University - was an anaesthetist at Wanganui Hospital before opening his own practice on Wicksteed St about 18 months ago.

He, wife Tanya and their rugby-mad son - "he's got all the Boks' autographs", says Tanya - will be in Wellington next Saturday for the second Boks-All Blacks Tri-Nations battle, but that's a week away.

Yesterday there was high excitement at his surgery, two days out from their first-round opener at Eden Park.

A patient, 1950s All Black Doug Wilson, had brought in his All Black jersey and a Springbok one to show off to the good doctor.

The Bok colours belonged to Brian Pfaff, a tourist to New Zealand in 1956. He and Wilson never faced off on that tour, but became good mates off the field and exchanged jerseys as a mark of their friendship.

Wilson predicts a close battle tomorrow, but fears the Bok forwards could have the upper hand.

"The All Blacks have a bit of work to do there," he said.

Words that come as a shot in the arm for an already super-confident Dr Brown.