Sep 17, 2026 · 37 min · 10 segments
South Africa came out of this series on 95.09 rating points — the highest any team has ever recorded, in 23 years of world rankings. Higher than any of their three World Cup wins. And yet across four…
Andrew MehrtensGuest
John SmitHost
George GreganHost
And from just a rugby fan perspective, it was amazing seeing two best teams going at it over the course of four big test matches on the bounce.
The Springboks rating at the moment is currently 95.09. New Zealand's second at 91.15. Ireland's at 88.08. France is 87.43. And then you've got England at 85.68.
So there's quite a big difference between the first team, the top team, which is the Springboks, and the All Blacks between the rest.
And I think it just spoke in volumes with the class and the quality of that series.
And I know there were some serious injuries in the third match at Soccer Stadium in Soweto to the likes of Adi Sevilla.
And we also lost Cheslin Colby, who were just big contributors through the series.
But, you know, I think we need to get into... why these two teams have created such a gap in the rest of the world, Rogi?
If I look at the month that's passed, I think that South Africa would have been fairly confident being ranked number one going in there, but also wary of the fact that this has been the toughest opponent that we've had to face over the better part of 100 years.
But I think that first test, when you saw – an All Black team coming in under new management and the ability to play in those three warm-up games against our, I would say, probably a watered-down URC teams, it gave them the confidence to buy into this DNA that the All Blacks really believe in.
And their skill sets and their handling skills and their ability to go wide, it was something that I think Really made a massive impact in that first game.
And you boys know, being on tour is actually, it's fantastic to build a team environment, to get together, to get connected.
And that momentum and confidence, I think, it didn't make me worry for the first test match in Ellis Park.
And from just a rugby fan perspective, it was amazing seeing two best teams going at it over the course of four big test matches on the bounce.
The Springboks rating at the moment is currently 95.09. New Zealand's second at 91.15. Ireland's at 88.08. France is 87.43. And then you've got England at 85.68.
So there's quite a big difference between the first team, the top team, which is the Springboks, and the All Blacks between the rest.
And I think it just spoke in volumes with the class and the quality of that series.
And I know there were some serious injuries in the third match at Soccer Stadium in Soweto to the likes of Adi Sevilla.
And we also lost Cheslin Colby, who were just big contributors through the series.
But, you know, I think we need to get into... why these two teams have created such a gap in the rest of the world, Rogi?
If I look at the month that's passed, I think that South Africa would have been fairly confident being ranked number one going in there, but also wary of the fact that this has been the toughest opponent that we've had to face over the better part of 100 years.
But I think that first test, when you saw – an All Black team coming in under new management and the ability to play in those three warm-up games against our, I would say, probably a watered-down URC teams, it gave them the confidence to buy into this DNA that the All Blacks really believe in.
And their skill sets and their handling skills and their ability to go wide, it was something that I think Really made a massive impact in that first game.
And you boys know, being on tour is actually, it's fantastic to build a team environment, to get together, to get connected.
And that momentum and confidence, I think, it didn't make me worry for the first test match in Ellis Park.
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