The Greatest Rivalry: Four Tests, One Remarkable Series and a Springbok Statement

What a way to finish four Tests between the two greatest rivals in world rugby.

At 11pm South African time on Saturday night, we settled in at home in Grotto Bay for the final chapter of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry.

The braai had started at 7.30pm. Four neighbours joined us, the banter was flowing long before kick-off, and there was that wonderful sense of anticipation that only a Springboks-All Blacks Test can produce.

By the time it was over, there could be very little argument.

The Springboks were pure class.

South Africa’s 43-28 victory in Baltimore gave Rassie Erasmus and his team a 3-1 series victory and underlined why the Springboks remain the standard against which every other international rugby team must currently measure itself.

Throughout this series, and in our discussions on Smile 90.4FM with the excellent Mike Greenaway, I kept coming back to one thing: rugby is still won up front.

You need a tight five.

It was true decades ago and, despite all the developments in analysis, conditioning, attacking structures and technology, it remains true today.

Mike was spot on about the points spread and the importance of superior conditioning. Eventually the Springbok power, depth and fitness told.

Baltimore demonstrated it perfectly.

The All Blacks were certainly not passengers. They led 7-3 early and, after South Africa had started to impose themselves physically, New Zealand produced a magnificent multi-phase attack that eventually sent Will Jordan over.

Suddenly it was 17-14 at halftime.

Game on.

But the second half showed why this Springbok side is so formidable.

The scrum pressure increased. The collisions became more punishing. Malcolm Marx scored from the maul before Pieter-Steph du Toit added another after a superb break from Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.

Kurt-Lee Arendse and Cameron Hanekom also crossed as South Africa relentlessly turned pressure into points.

New Zealand kept fighting. They always do. Ethan Blackadder scored and Beauden Barrett crossed late in the match, but the result was no longer seriously in doubt.

South Africa had won the areas that ultimately decide Test matches: scrum, set piece, collisions and scoreboard.

Springboks 43. All Blacks 28. Series 3-1.

For me, however, this series was about far more than the final score.

It was a privilege to watch all four Tests and to attend two of them in Cape Town with my family.

That is what sport gives us.

Yes, we remember the tries, tackles, controversial calls and final scores. But we also remember where we were, who sat alongside us and the conversations before and after the game.

The banter with my friends throughout these four Tests has been brisk, as you would expect. I have supported the All Blacks for more than 50 years, so I know very well that there will be some messages coming my way after this result.

But you also have to recognise excellence when you see it.

And this Springbok team is excellent.

There is a confidence and depth within South African rugby that is remarkable. Players come into the side and understand exactly what is required of them. Erasmus has created competition for places while maintaining an extraordinarily clear identity.

The Boks know how they want to win.

New Zealand, meanwhile, will have plenty to take home and plenty to fix.

Dave Rennie is building something, and I believe there were enough moments across the four Tests to show that the All Blacks remain capable of challenging the best. They will know precisely where the gaps are, particularly when confronting the enormous physical and set-piece pressure South Africa can generate.

And the Boks?

They will want to get even better.

That is perhaps the most frightening part.

This rivalry doesn’t end in Baltimore. It simply moves on to its next chapter.

And remarkably, the Rugby World Cup draw means the world’s two great rugby nations could find themselves colliding at the first knockout stage next year.

The prospect of the number one and number two sides meeting that early in a World Cup feels bizarre. One of these giants could potentially be heading home while the tournament is only beginning to reach its decisive stages.

But that discussion is for another day.

For now, Baltimore belongs to South Africa.

Four Tests. Two extraordinary rugby nations. Plenty of bruises. Plenty of debate. Plenty of memories.

And from Cape Town to Grotto Bay and finally Baltimore, we were fortunate to watch another wonderful chapter in a rivalry that has endured for generations.

The Springboks deservedly take the trophy and the series 3-1.

As an All Blacks supporter, that hurts a little.

As a rugby supporter, however, you simply have to applaud what this Springbok team has become.

Pure class.