The Springboks secured the inaugural series win of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, avenging their 1996 series loss against the All Blacks when they soundly beat their opponents in Baltimore.
The 43-28 win was emphatic, securing the series 3-1. Here, The National looks at what we learnt from the series.
The status of the All Blacks
There is much talk about the evolution of the All Blacks under Dave Rennie and their rising status. The New Zealanders certainly play an attractive brand of rugby. When they are on the front foot and have uncontested possession to play with, they easily stretched the Boks’ defensive system, getting around them out wide seemingly at will.
They scored 17 tries during the series, to the Boks' 13, to prove that particular point. They also play with a never-say-die attitude, which will make them dangerous and difficult opposition to put away, as confirmed by the close-looking scorelines during the series. Even in the Boks’ most dominant victory in Baltimore this past weekend, South African supporters were never comfortable with their anxiousness, knowing that one decisive play from the Kiwis could flip the momentum of a match.
But that's the extent of the praise. Yes, they won the first Test at Ellis Park 33-16, but one could argue that the Boks were more guilty of losing that match.
Truth be told, the All Blacks have serious set-piece concerns. Their scrum was at times demolished by the Boks, while their line-out was a shambles throughout the series. Physically, they could not compete with the gameplan of the Boks. They lack the skill set to combat their opponents' tactical kicking. Without Ardie Savea, they look rudderless regarding on-field leadership.
These are major shortcomings in union.
So, while they must be commended for a fearless approach to their attacking play, and must be showered with adulation for making the series memorable, they have a lot of work to do if they are to return to the pinnacle of world rugby.
Mentally, Erasmus and Co are peerless
On the flip side, if the Boks are honest with themselves, they were not at their best during the series.
They let slip numerous chances throughout the four matches, with their errors in the first Test the most egregious of all. Even in the fourth Test, where they eventually snuffed out the resistance of the All Blacks, they would have left the US frustrated that they did not convert the majority of their chances.
They seemed to lose a bit of focus during matches, allowing the All Blacks back into the contest. In many respects, they were superior to their opponents, but never made it feel as if they were in total control.
Nonetheless, if this series proved one thing, it is that no team is currently on the same level as the Boks. They might have lost their heads a bit in the final 20 minutes at Ellis Park, but after going 1-0 down in the series, they closed the laager and concentrated on themselves.
They started the last three matches on the back foot, too, conceding early tries to the New Zealanders. Regardless, the mental fortitude and maturity they exhibited thereafter is truly impressive. They did not panic or discard their structures and systems.
Instead, they went about their business with an assured and logical precision, confident in their abilities and the outcome. The leadership group — led by the near-irreplaceable Siya Kolisi — remains a cornerstone of their winning culture.
World Rugby must acknowledge the scrum
No prop has ever won the World Rugby Player of the Year award, and perhaps it is about time.
There will always be the more flashy backline players who get the recognition, or the more mobile loose-forwards who get the nod, but when it comes to the No 1 and No 3 jumpers, there is sparse official praise.
Bok hooker Malcolm Marx once again finished this series as one of its best players, but it is arguably not due to his scrum work. Rather, Marx's physical presence around the field and in broken play makes him unmissable.
The Boks' scrum, meanwhile, was near-imperious during the series. It is an attacking platform that wins territory, possession, and can build scoreboard pressure. Much of that is due to Ox Nche, who is arguably the best scrummager in rugby at the moment. The 31-year-old was nominated for World Rugby’s top honour last season, but surely it’s time to recognise his talents with at least the SA Rugby Player of the Year award.
Along with Wilco Louw, Gerhard Steenekamp and Thomas du Toit, the Boks' scrum manhandled their counterparts, even scoring with a pushover scrum and penalty try.
World Rugby isn’t always appreciative of the scrum, but we say hang those moments in the Louvre.
Krappie scratches that itch
The injury to Grant Williams promoted Morne van den Berg into the matchday 23, much to the scepticism of Bok fans.
The scrumhalf has been called Faf Lite and Faf 2.0 after Faf de Klerk, but truth be told, Krappie ended this series with his stocks much improved, standing by himself without comparisons.
In the third Test, he played a significant role in the Boks' 29-24 victory, coming on for Cobus Reinach. The latter is seemingly battling with a lack of form and was a bit laboured when getting to the contact point and distributing possession.
Krappie, meanwhile, brought a verve and accuracy to the Boks' play, and tackled like a man possessed.
In the fourth Test, he was near-perfect. His passing was quick and crisp, he had a degree of physicality in him, and also that all-important mongrel that a No 9 always needs. His tactical kicking was clinical, as was his defensive work.
He was rightly awarded the Player of the Match award for his effort, with many Boks fans coming wise to what many Lions fans already knew: Van den Berg is arguably the best scrumhalf in South Africa right now.
Sacha FM still needs frequency boost
Bok mentor Rassie Erasmus was steadfast in his selection of Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu at flyhalf this series, and many will argue that it was a massive gamble that thankfully paid off.
Truth be told, Feinberg-Mngomezulu did not start the series well, lacking form and confidence in the first Test. He improved as the series continued, but has arguably not fully returned to his best. It is well established that the 24-year-old is an X-factor player and one of the most talented players on the planet; we just did not see that full repertoire this past month.
Erasmus’ backing, however, will go a long way to accelerating his return to that form.
With Manie Libbok established as the best of the Boks' No 10s right now, and the ever-consistent and unflappable Handre Pollard as backup, keeping Feinberg-Mngomezulu at flyhalf will only improve his experience and understanding of his role.
It could have backfired, but it didn't, and Feinberg-Mngomezulu will be all the better for it.