ONLY the All Blacks can serve as a yardstick to measure how far the Springboks have come so far on their road to redemption.
The Boks face New Zealand, their old enemy, at QBE Stadium in Albany in their second Rugby Championship match Down Under tomorrow (9.35am).
For years now, New Zealand have been the benchmark of world rugby, the only side to have won back-to-back World Cups.
The Boks, on the other hand, have gradually dropped from the highs of winning the 2007 World Cup, the 2009 Tri-Nations and the British and Irish Lions series triumph in 2009.
Rock-bottom was losing to Japan at the 2015 World Cup, and eight of their 12 Tests to the likes of Ireland, Argentina and lowly Italy last year.
Still, they are well on their way to recovery, unbeaten in six matches so far this year.
However, they face their sternest test yet as they chase their first win in New Zealand in eight years.
Boks coach Allister Coetzee, who announced his team yesterday, have already lavished praise on the All Blacks, acknowledging their strength and winning culture.
“They are the No 1 side in the world both in rankings and experience, and there is no greater contest than to play them in New Zealand,” said Coetzee.
“The rivalry between the two sides are filled with rich history and we get an opportunity to be part of that on Saturday.
“There are no room for errors against the All Blacks because they will punish you for every mistake. We prepared well for this challenge and we will get another opportunity to gain more valuable experience as we continue to grow as a team.”
Coetzee has made some changes to his last starting team, bringing back Franco Mostert at lock with Pieter-Steph du Toit back on the bench.
Ruan Dreyer has replaced injured prop Coenie Oosthuizen, while Jean-Luc du Preez comes in for injured Jaco Kriel at flank.
