One of the game’s greats, Sean Fitzpatrick, believes that Rassie Erasmus has created a team that is akin to the 2011-15 All Blacks side.

Following their triumph in 2023, the Springboks matched New Zealand’s feat eight years prior by claiming back-to-back Rugby World Cup titles.

However, New Zealand were far more dominant between global tournaments, while South Africa’s results were mixed.

Since the success in France, though, the Boks have been impressive despite the narrow defeat to Ireland in July.

Rugby Championship excellence

They have won all four Rugby Championship matches so far, including consecutive victories over the All Blacks in Johannesburg and Cape Town.

Legendary New Zealand hooker Fitzpatrick says that Erasmus’ men have “no major weaknesses that I’m aware of”, and then praised the head coach’s squad development.

The All Blacks, who won the World Cup crown consecutively in 2011 and 2015, had a group of 36 players, each of whom could play in a final without sacrificing quality,” he told Rapport.

“This is exactly what Rassie is doing, by giving all of his players exposure to a variety of competitive environments.

“It is interesting how rugby develops, with Antoine Dupont of France having such a decisive impact on the Olympic Games from the bench.

“This has long since dawned on Rassie, with the understanding that impact players like Kwagga Smith made during the World Cup tournament last year.”

Former Ireland and British and Irish Lions scrum-half John Robbie is also a fan of the current South African team.

Andy Farrell’s men led the world rankings going into the World Cup and also have a better head-to-head record with the Boks over recent times, but it is Erasmus’ outfit that have the silverware.

“All that matters is what happens on the field. The scoreboard is the only ranking. My Irish mates get mad when I point out that Ireland have no World Cup title to show for it, even though they’ve been number one a couple of times,” Robbie said.

The Boks, on the other hand, have already won a record four times. Based on that alone, they must be considered one of the very best of all time.

“Since the game became professional, most of the traditionally weaker rugby nations, such as Argentina, Italy and Fiji, have pulled up their socks and there are no easy games anymore. For the Boks to be able to win successive World Cup titles shows how much self-confidence they have.

“You just know that eventually they will smoke the pipe and that is a character trait of top teams in any sport.”

Spotting a weakness

Unlike Fitzpatrick, Robbie does see a weakness, however, and that comes behind the scrum. The Boks are looking to develop their game having hired Tony Brown as an attack coach, but the former Ireland star still believes that there is plenty to work on in that area.

The backs still run too sideways and this is taboo. The tries they do score are mostly thanks to individual brilliance. Scoring backline tries against well organized defences only comes with time,” he added.

Rassie is also putting together three great teams, with at least three outstanding players in each position, similar to the great All Black teams of a decade ago.

“That South Africa have shown such progress since their 38-3 drubbing against Ireland seven years ago, as well as the fact that they have won over many South Africans who have refused to support the Boks for decades, speaks volumes.

“In the years to come, this will be looked back on as one of the outstanding eras.”