You know something is stirring when even the most committed of Springbok supporters wonder what would happen if they were to be playing England this autumn. While they have been practising the art of winning test matches one man down courtesy of red cards, England have discovered how to play the full eighty minutes. Not simply because of a bench which is bringing a real edge to their last 20, but because of a growing confidence in their own ability borne of a winning habit and a coaching team they can trust.

Make no mistake the win over the All Blacks was conclusive. We already knew that they were vulnerable defensively having been thoroughly dismantled by the Boks on their home ground some weeks ago. This was a weaker squad again and on the day this was a distinctly autumnal performance. Even though the traditional fast start materialised rather too easily for England’s liking, they ignored kickable penalties with a tap and go approach, and in general kicked abysmally to negate the supremacy of their lineout. Maro Itoje will not want to watch this one back on replay. However, England reeled in the All Blacks comfortably, inspired by Ford whose career is now an endless summer of excellence. Apart from the two drop goals which set England up for the second half, he has also rediscovered his appetite to feed a midfield which was the highlight of the day for England. Whether he feels liberated by Lee Blackett or is simply luxuriating in the open air following the departure of Farrell from contention, it is great news for England. He looks like the player who set the world alight all those years ago in a Bath/England midfield containing Jonathan Joseph and Kyle Eastmond.

Lawrence and Dingwall showed what can happen if an uncluttered midfield is given licence and opportunity to use the ball. The sleight of hand from Lawrence to send Dingwall through the defence untouched for the crucial try was a thing of beauty and I am so happy for Dingwall in particular who is now finally being given the respect he has always deserved. England’s two decade search for a dreamland midfield could finally be over if this new mindset persists. Successful midfield partnerships have to develop over time and thrive on confidence, a fact forgotten by countless coaches and media. Anyone who has read my thoughts over the last decade or more will know I am like a scratched record on this. If only Wayne Smith had been given the chance to bring this in back in 2012 but that is another story… let us give this selection and way of thinking room to grow, there is also plenty of talent in reserve.

Elsewhere, the resilience and quality of Argentina shines through, their limited resource continues to perform on a global tour that seems to go on forever. They will light up Twickenham but England have the bit between their teeth even if the Pumas won’t be longing for the beach quite as much as the Australians who look totally shattered. I say the beach but most of the Argentinian squad are now playing in the Prem or in the Top 14 (nowhere else to play) so it’s back to business as they say.

I still believe that for England, they will look ahead and regard Murrayfield (Scotland will be furious about their Autumn and this will as ever be a shot at redemption) and Paris as two big hurdles in the Six Nations which could stall their progress. However the odd reverse does not hurt, even though they have had a gutful of near misses this past few years. Not enough of this squad have Six Nations titles and the World Cup is of course elusive. One of the great developments in world rugby (at the top anyway) is that so many teams are now competitive, for example Japan looked clearly superior to Wales in most areas last weekend. Ireland will dispute their fading superiority, but let us see how they get on at Twickenham next year – or even against the Boks this weekend!

Back in South Africa, as the children collect players cards from supermarkets and their heroes appear most days on prime time television, the double world champion Springboks back it all up with improving performances and a depth of talent which is eye-watering. It is conventional wisdom to say they are a street or two ahead of the chasing pack and if you look back to recent World Cups it reads Springboks 4 England 0. However… with England to play them in the Nations Cup next year just announced (a blinder from the organisers), we will get a measure of the relative progress and I believe their roads will converge as long as our second row engine room remains well stoked.

For England in general, with a backs coach worthy of the name firmly on board, a midfield selection being given some shelf life (please), an increasingly fearless attitude (not just Pollock but he helps), an administration at last prepared to stop meddling after 22 years and a reticent but entirely focused Head Coach, is it finally time?

Hallers

PS – Funfact – pound for pound, Fiji is the most talented rugby nation in the world. They gave England and France a very hard time on their own turf and wowed the fans with their stunning play on the gain line. Watch out whoever is in their World Cup pool!