New Zealand has just recorded the first ever 100 percent calendar year in the professional era leaving the Irish crushed and crying in their beer....LMAO
.....and only one team have beaten the Springboks in 2013 so if it wasn't for the Almighty All Blacks, this would possibly be hailed as one of the best South African teams of all time....
This year South Africa have beaten Australia, Argentina and Scotland at home and away, turned over Six Nations champions Wales, earnt victory against France and defeated Samoa and Italy to boot.
Captain Jean de Villiers alluded as much to that when he pointed out just how impressive their recent form has been.
Including last year's November tests -- when they beat Ireland and England, as well as Scotland -- South Africa have beaten all of the rest of the top 11 teams in the world at least once in the last year -- except New Zealand of course.
"We're very happy with the last 12 months, if you take the end of the last year as well, that's 13 (wins) from 15," said De Villiers.
"It makes it results-wise one of the best years South African rugby's had in a very long time."
While the All Blacks' dazzling brilliance is there for all to admire, it is easy to overlook just how talented the Boks are.
As well as their traditional strengths of power and commitment, and an impenetrable wall of defence, they also have creativity brimming through the side, with pace to spare on the flanks in Pietersen and former world player of the year Bryan Habana.
It was in the rucks and at the breakdown that France found them most effective, though.
"They were more solid than us in the rucks where they managed quite a few turnovers," said France captain Thierry Dusautoir.
The question now for South Africa, is how to take that next step up and challenge New Zealand for the number one spot. Good luck with that...
