Now to find out where the Boks really stand
JUST two points separated the Springboks and the All Blacks when they last met on a rugby field – the World Cup semi-final at Twickenham in October last year – won 20-18 by the All Blacks.
Are there still only two points between the teams? Or has the gulf widened?
This year’s results would suggest the New Zealanders are far ahead, with them having racked up impressive wins against Wales, the Wallabies and Argentina, while the Boks just edged Ireland 2-1 in June and have lost to both Australia and Argentina in the last month.
Springbok assistant coach Johann van Graan says it’s too early to judge the Bok class of 2016.
“It’s a difficult question to answer,” said Van Graan, when asked if two points was a realistic difference between the Boks and All Blacks now.
“We will see the bigger picture after the next two Tests, home and away.
“But it’s a massive challenge to play the All Blacks here, that’s for sure. When you’re here, whether it’s with a Super Rugby team or with the Boks, you’ve got to be at your best for 80 minutes.
“When you come here you know you will be tested in the scrums, in the line-outs, physically, in the backs, your aerial skills and your passing.
“You will be tested, but that’s why you coach, that’s why you play. You want to measure yourself against the best, and that’s what’s brilliant about coming here to New Zealand.”
Van Graan added that the Boks had found few weaknesses when analysing their toughest opponents, and stopped just short of calling Steve Hansen’s men perfect.
“They’re a fantastic rugby nation. I like to think they’re brilliant. Their set piece is always good, their 9 (Aaron Smith) and 10 (Beauden Barrett) are special. Barrett, in fact, is probably among the three form players in the world at the moment.
“The centres who have come in for Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith (who have both retired) and Sonny Bill Williams (who is injured) have easily slotted in, and the back three are always solid.
“There are no apparent weaknesses, they’re a fantastic rugby team.”
Van Graan, who is the only member of Heyneke Meyer’s management team who is working with Allister Coetzee’s squad, added that the key word on Saturday would be “pressure”.
“It’s about which team will be able to apply the most pressure, and which will be able to absorb it best.
“That will ultimately be the difference,” said the specialist forwards coach. “These matches are usually always tight affairs, so it’s going to come down to who deals best with the pressure.”