When it really matters, Pollard gets the vote

SO in the week that we learnt a proper All Blacks tour of South Africa is likely in 2026, the two sides contested what felt like a series decider in itself after their intriguing back-to-back Rugby Championship fixtures which have brightened up our viewing recently.

- BRENDAN GALLAGHER

After last week’s high octane encounter at Ellis Park there was always going to be a drop off in quality but a little bit of history was made nonetheless.

This was, rather to the surprise of everybody, the first time South Africa have beaten New Zealand four times on the trot since 1949 when the All Blacks lost the series 4-0 in South Africa. It should be stated that New Zealand were not allowed to select – or weren’t brave enough to select – any of their Māori players which considerably weakened an already less than vintage squad.

This time their four wins were achieved in that pre World Cup friendly at Twickenham, the World Cup final in Paris and then this double header in South Africa. When you consider some of the mighty teams South Africa have fielded over the decades – not least four World Cup winning squads – it speaks volumes about the current group.

In many ways the last fortnight has been a toe back in the water for the concept of incoming tours between these two great rugby nations. There is time for the opposing coaches to both get in a panic and/or rectify errors and we had a bit of both in this contest.