The All Blacks are to rugby lore what Brazil\u2019s Selecao are to football, but the Springboks are increasingly building the resume to put forth their case as the sport\u2019s greatest team.<\/p>\n
After usurping New Zealand\u2019s mantle as the Rugby World Cup\u2019s most successful team with their fourth title and second in succession in 2023, the current iteration of the Springboks are entering the conversation of the sport\u2019s greatest team after winning their consecutive Rugby Championship on Oct 4. <\/p>\n
That honour is largely bestowed on the early- to mid-2010s edition of the All Blacks, who won back-to-back World Cups in 2011 and 2015 and won five of the seven Rugby Championships from 2010 to 2016. <\/p>\n
From 2010 to 2016, New Zealand lost just seven of 94 Tests, setting a joint-world record of 18 straight Tier I Test match wins from 2015 to 2016. They also went on a 22-match unbeaten run from 2013 to 2014.\u00a0Only once from 2010 to 2016 was the accolade of the world\u2019s best player not won by an All Black, with the gong alternating between Richie McCaw, Dan Carter (twice), Kieran Read, Brodie Retallick and Beauden Barrett.<\/p>\n
But they appear to have a challenger in the Springboks circa 2019 to present.<\/p>\n
Former Wallabies centre Morgan Turinui said on Stan Sports: \u201cThis Boks team look like they\u2019re going to win a lot in between. I\u2019m just trying to think of which teams throughout history could beat this team?\u201d<\/p>\n
Having already matched the All Blacks\u2019 feat of consecutive world titles in 2019 and 2023, the world No. 1 South Africa side have followed up their most recent triumph in France by winning back-to-back Southern Hemisphere titles for the first time at Twickenham on Oct 4, pipping the All Blacks on points difference.<\/p>\n
South Africa do not have anything like New Zealand\u2019s record when it comes to unbeaten runs or winning percentages but where they make their case is triumphing when it matters most.<\/p>\n
They have not lost any of their four World Cup finals. The All Blacks have reached five finals but lost two of them. Two of New Zealand\u2019s three triumphs have come on home soil, while all but one of South Africa\u2019s titles were achieved on different continents, including their last two.<\/p>\n
South Africa fly-half Handre Pollard admitted on the For The Love Of Rugby podcast last October that the Springboks have ambitions of being the best side ever, but suggested that they need to be better between World Cups.<\/p>\n
Following up their success in the 2023 global showpiece with Rugby Championship wins in 2024 and 2025 suggests they are headed in the right direction.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to be and we\u2019re going to try our very, very best, but that 2011 to 2015 All Blacks team is still the best team ever,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe thing is that we need consistent success. We\u2019ve done well in the World Cups and we speak about it in our group, it\u2019s about consistently winning Rugby Championships between World Cups now, winning series…<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the kind of stuff which makes you really one of, if not the greatest team ever. We\u2019ve still got a little bit to go there, I feel.\u201d<\/p>\n
South Africa captain Siya Kolisi paid tribute to coach Rassie Erasmus for changing his team\u2019s mindset. <\/p>\n