Very embarrassing of course for our resident Mamparas who worked and succeeded in making complete twits of themselves.
Definitely a third RWC would clinch the matter but are we already there now after this series win.
If the Boks can remedy their obvious shortcomings, they should be far and away the favourites for the next World Cup — not merely as a matter of popular opinion, but on the strength of the playing resources available to them. The raw material at South Africa's disposal is beyond that of any other Test nation, and has been for several years now.
The defence requires a substantial overhaul, while the attacking game needs both personnel changes and a system capable of making better use of the talent available. A genuinely well-coached Bok side should have walked this series without the uncertainty and self-inflicted difficulties we witnessed along the way.
As for some of the more heavily debated individuals, I don't think this series has materially altered their standing at all. Team success doesn't automatically vindicate every individual within it, just as a poor team performance doesn't necessarily diminish those who performed well.
The potential of this Bok side is enormous. My frustration is precisely that: we are judging them against what this group ought to be capable of, not merely against whether they managed to win.
