Boks power & All Blacks of old - what did we learn from series?

What the report says

South Africa’s 3-1 series win over New Zealand in Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry has reinforced the Springboks’ standing as the top-ranked team in world rugby, according to BBC Sport. After losing the opening Test in Johannesburg, the world champions responded with three straight victories, sealing the series with a 43-28 win in Baltimore in the fourth Test, which was staged in the United States after three matches in South Africa.

BBC Sport’s review of the series says South Africa’s traditional forward power remained central to their success. The article points to dominant mauls, strong scrummaging and experienced players such as Malcolm Marx, Eben Etzebeth, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi, Damian de Allende and Cheslin Kolbe as key to the team’s continuing formula. It also notes that fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu started all four Tests after returning from injury, while the team still appears to have options at No. 10 with Handre Pollard and others available.

For New Zealand, the series offered signs of a reset under Dave Rennie, who has been tasked with restoring elements of the All Blacks’ traditional attacking style after recent upheaval in coaching. The article highlights the impact of younger half-backs Cam Roigard and Ruben Love, along with Richie Mo’unga’s return for the final match. The broader takeaway, BBC Sport says, is that both teams showed reasons for optimism ahead of next year’s Rugby World Cup, with South Africa’s depth and tactical variety again standing out.