The talk is about how much the Boks have to prove in their finale at Ellis Park against New Zealand

5. Boks-All Blacks II

All the talk is about how much the Springboks have to prove in their Rugby Championship finale at Ellis Park against New Zealand. But I wonder. Knowing the mentality of the All Blacks, and the pride they take in their status in the game, I’m sure they would have been as gutted as anyone that their victory at Eden Park was so sullied by the dismissal of Bismarck du Plessis. The Springboks were primed for an historic victory in Auckland, and the media view in SA is that they were denied it by Poite. Back at their Johannesburg fortress, they’ll be coming out with withering intent. But don’t doubt these All Blacks, being brilliantly led by No 8 Kieran Read who’s in the form of his life. What better stage on which to make their biggest statement since that fateful October night at Eden Park in 2011. Bring it on!

– © Fairfax NZ News

By Marc Hinton