The knowledgeable Boks supporters around me on the Cape were far from enthused at much of the Springbok play in their traditional and epic struggle with the All Blacks at the weekend in Johannesburg. It was interesting to hear their critique of what some are now calling the greatest squad in the history of South African Rugby. They didn’t play so well but still edged out a very committed All Blacks side who played at a completely different level than their test series against England.

For the Springboks, you can name a second team of equivalent strength and the way they fast-track their young stars is an object lesson. I really love the expression of talent by Aphelele Fassi at fullback and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu at flyhalf, and am already a big fan of Grant Williams at 9 who scored the winning try. They are not the finished article but have so much potential and they massively influenced the outcome more than their senior colleagues.

That their players can gather experience overseas and still play for their country is solely in the gift of their Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus. Spot the difference with the Northern Hemisphere? Lastly, the proving ground of the Currie Cup is throwing up new talent everywhere and I have heard three unknown centres named who are predicted for the top. That’s before you get to Canan Moodie the 21 year old prodigy who is likely to grace the midfield for many years.

For the All Blacks, to be 10 points ahead with minutes to play will feel like a game thrown away. But the Springboks bench far outclassed that of the Kiwis and they are past masters at closing out games these last few years. Also there is a gap in physicality particularly upfront which may prove the difference again this weekend with only Savea showing his muscle. Anyone see Kolbe bounce off Scott Barrett the Kiwi Lock? Ireland has shown it can cope with that only the other week and this is why the pecking order at the top of the game has to sit with them and South Africa.

The challenge for England in particular as they eye some juicy fixtures in November is whether it is already too late to blood some other talent. I would do so in the midfield and the front and back row to counter the enviable depth which at least four of their competitor nations are building with 2027 in mind. I wonder how many of the World Cup winning youngsters will get some game time when the season starts?

Elsewhere the race to replace Bill Beaumont as Chair of World Rugby has some worrying aspects. The only people who can be considered for these key positions of Chair and Vice Chair come from within the Executive and selected from the Unions. They have proven over a number of years to be unskilled and some subject to personal ambition. Thankfully the spectre of Bernard Laporte becoming Chair disappeared due to corruption charges. Many Heads of Unions have lost their positions in recent times or been roundly criticised for their performances. How can the most senior position in World Rugby be elected this way? Many of the smartest brains in Rugby come from the club game, and serious corporate players could also be considered. We have to change this – more to come on such an important topic which also references the need for strong leadership which is in short supply in our game right now.