It has been quite a few weeks for South African Rugby. The defending world Champions returned to the top of the tree with a statement victory over the All Blacks, the manner of the win being far more meaningful than the fact. Their U20’s are now crowned World Champions, England finishing a disappointing 6th, and their U18’s also cleaned up recently including a 60 point demolition of England on the way. Finally and most emotionally, the game of the Women’s World Cup saw the Springbok Women edge past Italy to achieve their first ever Quarter Final. Then, 10-10 at half time against the misfiring Black Ferns had the Boks daring to dream – as Mandela famously said, ‘a winner is a dreamer who never gives up’. On this occasion, the reality of this tournament kicked in, namely that there are only a few sides who can go 80 minutes on full throttle against the top teams because they are mostly amateurs. But they emerged with huge pride and will be a force very soon which will be a welcome development for the Women’s game. That hesitant performance by the Black Ferns together with a wholly unconvincing performance by France in squeezing past a gutsy Irish team mean that England genuinely has a clear run to glory as long as the physical challenge from Canada can be overcome, and physicality is England’s ballgame. Having said that, Mitchell’s irritation with their scrappy win over Scotland was clear. It will not be the first time that an English rugby side has struggled against unfancied Scottish opposition especially in such dire conditions! I know that for a fact! But there were so few highlights that everyone was left dissatisfied.

The Rugby Championship has been a revelation this year. Australia has found its confidence and the oft derided Schmidt has built much needed structure to add to the flair. Some of their passing against Argentina was reminiscent of the Ella era, and Sua’ali’i is emerging as a world class operator. Meantime, Argentina having had their noses bloodied twice by England on home turf (much credit due there), can beat anyone on their day and Santi Carreras is the sort of acquisition for Bath that says they can overcome the loss of their top backs coach, Lee Blackett, who was so instrumental in Argentina.

The All Blacks are competitive but weak in some areas especially half back and front row, a fact brutally exposed by South Africa in Wellington. What was impressive from Rassie’s men was the midfield. It was notable that the multiple chances created in Auckland could not be converted. A one paced midfield was clear for all to see, no effective distribution out wide and easy to defend. I have been calling Moodie into the centre ever since I saw him, reminiscent of Jerry Guscott with silky running and exceptional handling skills. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu was URC player of the year and looked it, and with Mani Libbok pulling equivalent strings on the day, that places some perspective on England’s claims of fly-half depth. This was different class. Add to that the surprise package of Willemse who came from nowhere to produce a centre display I have not seen for a while. A key attribute of a centre is to attract attention and didn’t he just do that, terrorising the All Black midfield with his stepping and ability to hold space which normally takes an age to develop in that position. The pace with which they attacked created opportunities all round the field and even Esterhuizen joined in the fun. With Fassi at fullback this was the Boks ‘other back-line’! Erasmus gave the old guard their chance in Auckland and it feels like the road to Australia is now to be lit with the genius he has been nurturing this past two years. Transition is tricky, and here it is, it sets out the hallmark of true Champions to be able to consolidate and move ahead when a target is on your back. As for his star-studded forwards, some are fighting hard against the ravages of age, Kolisi and Du Toit in particular. Wiese is key for them at number 8, and his talents have been largely built in the Premiership! Lastly, the destruction of the All Blacks tight five at scrum time will not have gone unnoticed.

This is the team to beat in 2027 and with a pipeline of talent coming through which is prodigious. This what it takes to achieve consistent success at the top.

As for England, the advent of Lee Blackett is significant. He has been the best attack coach in England for a while now, probably the best since Brian Ashton which is a poor reflection if we are honest on the ‘gap years’. Reading that he is the 11th attack coach in 9 years – name the others, I couldn’t – is an indictment of our Head Coaches and successive administrations. Is it any wonder we haven’t had a midfield worth the name since the days of Catt, Greenwood and Tindall (oh, plus Charlie Hodgson and Jonny Wilkinson!) It is the players I have felt sorry for, not just poor coaching but also mindless and random selections recalling the ignorance of the early 80’s when 5 appearances at centre for England was an achievement. Remember Sam Burgess being selected as a World Cup centre after only a handful of appearances ever in that position… the number of centre combinations selected by Eddie Jones during his tenure was equivalent to being in a game of chance on a TV show.

Blackett does have enough time to help England to challenge in 2027, and create an attacking platform to match what we are seeing in the Southern Hemisphere, add to that France and Scotland in the North. He needs to firm up on his key players and give them the confidence to play. This is the word he is using and he is spot on. As a midfield or for any attack player, you have to be prepared to try things and make mistakes and be given licence to explore from your coaches. We are only three years on from the George Ford ‘ticking time bomb’ comment on how often to keep the ball in hand. So we have come a long way because his form now recalls his fresh-faced ambition of ten years earlier. Blackett will install the confidence, Borthwick must now find a backrow to support this ambition – the players are there, it’s a selection decision in addition to tactical appreciation.

We can catch up but the clock is ticking and momentum is building for at least four if not five of our main challengers. November approaches and we will be fresh just as the Rugby Championship sides are playing themselves to a near standstill – time for a statement, and Blackett can light the touchpaper.