The people of Centurion could be forgiven for thinking United States president Barack Obama is in town, such is the security presence surrounding the All Blacks this week.
In preparation for the 2010 football World Cup in South Africa, a squadron of 8-10 staff have escorted the team, lights flashing, everywhere from the moment they touched down in Johannesburg.
It is a trial run of the security measures to be employed for all 32 teams competing at the world's biggest sports event next year.
The All Blacks are using the town, near Pretoria, as a buildup base for Sunday morning's test against the Springboks in Bloemfontein and the players have been pleasantly surprised by the level of assistance.
Gridlocked traffic that is commonplace here hasn't been a problem to a co-ordinated team of cars and motorcycles, who have halted traffic and run through red lights to get the New Zealand team bus and vans safely and quickly to their destination. Whether it's training, the gym or the movies -- it's been a smooth passage.
Captain Richie McCaw said the security exceeded anything he had seen with the All Blacks.
"We have commented that perhaps it's a little bit of overkill," he said.
"But it's good. When you need to get home and there's a little bit of traffic, you certainly don't get held up by it."
