Nick Mallett: Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry gave Rassie Erasmus ‘confirmation’ on older Springboks as All Blacks worked a way ‘around’ South Africa

The Springboks and All Blacks have both benefited tremendously from Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Series, according to Nick Mallett.

New Zealand fell to back-to-back defeats to Rassie Erasmus’ charges in their final two matches in South Africa after winning their first five matches in the Republic, with the Springboks and All Blacks squaring off in Baltimore in the Test series decider.

Regardless of the outcome of the finale, Mallett believes that both Erasmus and Dave Rennie will have learnt plenty about their respective squads throughout the series.

The ex-Bok coach says that the New Zealand players needed the physicality test that the