While it wasn’t an official test match, and meant little in the larger scheme of things, the Boks scored seven tries to one against a side that had all the talent on paper, but lacked the passion and heart in the game when it counted.
The important thing for the Springboks on the evening was that they ticked all the boxes necessary, showed composure and regained confidence after a forgettable Vodacom Super Rugby series, and at the same time allowed several injured stalwarts to make an easy return to the game.
On this front there were smiles all around, as the Bok dominance allowed captain Jean de Villiers to make his miraculous return from injury after eight months on the sideline with a horrific knee injury, while others such as Pat Lambie, Cobus Reinach and Schalk Burger also eased their way back into action off the bench.
But the real story of the evening was those who stood out on the field, those who would have made Meyer smile after the faith he placed in them amidst selection criticism and a long list of injuries.
Given two weeks of fire and brimstone that awaits the Boks as they face Australia in Brisbane next week and the All Blacks in Johannesburg the week after, the form of those on the field was always likely to be closely scrutinised with the bigger picture in mind.
The Boks scored seven tries to one against a side that had all the talent on paper, but lacked the passion and heart in the game when it counted. Photo: Jan Venter/Shutterspeed Images.
