Three matches, three wins: from the brutality of their forward pack to the tactical genius of Rassie Erasmus, the Springboks offered a masterclass in precision and physicality. Their final fixture, against Wales in Cardiff, was a suffocating 12-45 win that was followed by former international Jamie Roberts – a considered, intelligent pundit – hailing them as the greatest team of all time. It was high praise, but as the numbers show, not unmerited.
This European campaign has taken the Boks to an 85% winning ratio this season, and it was only their willingness to experiment during this year's Rugby Championship that prevented them from winning the tournament even more convincingly.
The Springboks conceded just 47 points across the Autumn Nations Series, while taking their own tally to 86. These victories were not merely a demonstration of power but of control – a relentless, disciplined dismantling of the opposition. In Edinburgh and London, the hosts found themselves overwhelmed by the infamous ‘Bomb Squad’, South Africa’s ferocious bench, whose physicality rendered opposition packs powerless. Against Wales, a team in turmoil, the damage was done from the outset.
REPORTS: England v South Africa; Scotland v South Africa; Wales v South Africa
The terrifying double-threat of wingers Kurt-Lee Arendse and Cheslin Kolbe, Siya Kolisi’s indomitable leadership, any one of the versions of their pack that took the field at any given moment - all stood out. But, it was the team’s collective will that proved insurmountable. Kolisi’s journey from a career-threatening injury to leading his team to another unbeaten run epitomised this side’s character. ‘Resilient' is a word overused in sport, but for Kolisi and the Springboks, it seems inadequate.
Underpinning their success is Erasmus, the master strategist. Critics of his antics – his infamous water boy interventions or his all-round gamesmanship – were silenced as his methods delivered results. He and his coaches revel in exploiting loopholes and pushing boundaries, and what is life if not for exploring? Whether it was the controversial 7-1 bench split against Scotland or the smothering defensive lines used to neutralise Scotland’s attacking width, Erasmus’s tactical acumen has elevated this team to historic heights.
The numbers deepen the narrative. This was South Africa’s first clean sweep in the northern hemisphere since 2018, their average margin of victory an imposing 19 points. Their defensive record in this era ranks among the most formidable in recent history, further fuelling the debate: where do they stand in rugby’s pantheon? Jamie Roberts’s claim – “the greatest team ever” – finds echoes in their back-to-back World Cups (2019 and 2023), their 2024 Rugby Championship win, and now this flawless tour.
Yet greatness demands scrutiny. Are these Springboks superior to the All Blacks of 1987-1990 or 2011-2015? The latter, with two World Cups and an unprecedented winning streak, set the standard. But South Africa’s ability to grind out results in the crucible of high-pressure games while retaining a destructive, unyielding edge feels singular.
Towards the end of 2023, and before the World Cup in France, some questioned whether Erasmus was being too loyal to his class of 2019. While emboldened by his subsequent success with those very men, in 2024 he has capped 12 new players, and there has been much discussion about the Springboks boasting two world-leading XVs.
Erasmus knows the path ahead is treacherous; the pressure to build on their achievements grows. But in this moment, South Africa can pause, their unbeaten Autumn Nations Series campaign a testament to the heights this team has reached. Whether they are the greatest will be debated, but their place among rugby’s immortals feels assured.
