Christchurch - Just two points separated the Springboks and 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 in the distance, having racked up impressive wins against Wales, the Wallabies and Argentina, while at the same time the Boks just edged Ireland 2-1 in June and have lost to both Australia and Argentina in the last month.
Springbok assistant coach Johan van Graan says it’s too early to be judging 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, 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 the Boks found few weaknesses when analysing their toughest opponents but stopped 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 nine (Aaron Smith) and 10 (Beauden Barrett) are special. Barrett, in fact, is probably among the three form players in the world at this moment.
“The centres that 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 really are a fantastic rugby team.”
Van Graan, who is the only member of Heyneke Meyer’s management team who’s working with Allister Coetzee’s current squad, added 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 tight affairs so over 80 minutes it’s going to come down to who deals best with the pressure.”
The Star