When taking a look at the final world rugby rankings for 2024, the All Blacks currently find themselves nearly a full two and a half points behind the Springboks.
Although just one point separated the two sides in the World Cup final last year, there is no doubt that the Springboks have enjoyed recent dominance over their arch-rivals, as evidenced by the four successive wins in the latest games between the two nations.
There are numerous reasons for the shift in world rugby power, but a widespread belief is that the breakdown of the Super Rugby partnership between the southern hemisphere sides has had a detrimental impact on New Zealand – and Australian – rugby.
This was a point also highlighted by former Springbok captain Bob Skinstad in an interview with Planet Rugby.
“I say this in a caveated format because I absolutely love New Zealand. I love New Zealand rugby, I love what it stands for, I love what they’ve done for world rugby etc.
“But in Super Rugby times they had it cushy because everyone had to go to them. I think South Africa actually watered that garden for them.
“I think they realise that now. In conversation with a lot of my contemporaries at the World Cup who were playing at that time… they were all very disappointed they didn’t have the challenge of the South African teams.
“Just to sharpen the knife, so to speak. Because you get to a World Cup and you haven’t been tackled by a South African for 11 months.
“It’s different.”
HERE IS WHERE THE SPRINGBOKS AND ALL BLACKS STAND ON THE LATEST RANKINGS
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Src: TheSouthAfrican.com - https://rugga.co.za/springboks/former-rugby-star-all-blacks-miss-being-tackled-by-a-springbok/
