OPINION: There is little more that can be said of Richie McCaw that has not already been printed, broadcast or televised.
The 131-test veteran continues to not only be an example of the ultimate professional for his team-mates, he shows the rest of the world how to maintain standards needed to stay at the top of his game.
Despite having every part of his body targeted by some of the toughest rugby men on the planet, McCaw just keeps on getting up and showing how it is done.
Lesser men would have stayed on the ground after being flattened by Springbok No 8 Duane Vermeulen a 10th of a second before being the meat in a South African sandwich.
Any victim of that sort of impact would have had the right to grab a moment on the deck.
Not McCaw. He knew, like he has so often, the importance of not showing any weakness to the opposition, about not giving any mental advantages or confidence away.
As the ball travelled through various All Blacks hands, McCaw could be seen busting himself to provide support.
That degree of desperation was seen later in the game as he virtually came from nowhere to take Kieran Read's magnificently timed pass to score the match winner in the corner, his 23rd test try.
Some leaders provide inspiration but few provide the level that McCaw has so consistently. He remains a marvel for New Zealanders and nothing short of plain annoying for opposition supporters.
As the seconds ticked away during the weekend's test it was McCaw who could be seen marshalling and organising the defence, the desperation clear on his face.
If that was not enough, then he delivered a victory speech and tribute to South Africa captain Jean de Villiers that was genuine and on the mark.
While McCaw remains at the top of his game, the All Blacks were not for long periods of the test.
With 61 per cent possession and territory, they should have done more.
The remaining statistics paint a clear picture. The All Blacks carried 129 times to South Africa's 66, they made 566 metres compared to 265, beat 26 defenders to just eight, made 13 offloads to one solitary Springbok effort, while they won 91 rucks to their opposition's 48.
To produce just one try from all of that could suggest the Springboks' defence was superior, yet they missed 26 tackles.
Apart from Julian Savea, the All Blacks backline is failing to deliver consistently enough, leaving the forwards with more to do than should be required.
Their option taking remains below where it needs to be for prolonged periods, while some players coming in are not having the impact they should.
One of those was Steven Luatua.
He looked short of a run, and probably was, as he failed to grab his chance.
Still, the test was gripping and provided an edge of your seat ending, which was made all the better by two superb tackles executed by Beauden Barrett.
