Boks bring joy to the Cape

The Springboks were in town before embarking on what is arguably the most anticipated match-up between old foes, the All Blacks.

At Ellis Park last week, thousands of Bok supporters were left disappointed and shocked, as Australia simply thumped the World Champions in a dominant second-half display. 

Australia stunned the rugby world when they scored six tries and also shut out the Springboks in the second, winning 22 - 38.

But we all knew that DHL Stadium would offer a new challenge and that the Springboks felt that loss, they felt the disappointment and, quite frankly, the embarrassment, proving why the Springboks of today have a very different aura about them.

Thousands flocked to possibly witness a backlash, looking to take revenge and set the record straight, but instead, we saw a team calculatingly breaking down a much-improved Aussie side.

Despite the confidence, there will still be this sense of doubt among the crowd, which quickly disappeared when Canon Moodie got on the end of a Handre Pollard cross kick - suddenly the crowd were on their feet.

In true champion style, slippery underfoot with scattered showers, our mighty Springboks out-muscled the Australians, who fought bravely, but the Cape Town crowd seemed to have done the trick.

Australia started the fight back and came up a few points short, in touching distance of the Boks, but it seemed James O'Connor might have forgotten his kicking boots back at Ellis Park.

Missing two easy penalties that could have put the Boks under immense pressure. 

Nevertheless, the champions clawed out a solid victory with big man Eben Ezebeth scoring a try to put some comfort between the two sides.

With the first two behind us in this year's Rugby Championship and with the logs blown wide open after the All Blacks' shock defeat to the Argentinians in Buenos Aires on Saturday, the tests at Eden Park and Wellington will have us all at the edge of our seats.

The world will be watching.

Most would feel now is the perfect time to strike, beat the World Champions, and make a statement. They were not convincing, but they did the job as a professional team should.

Sometimes winning is ugly, but it keeps the board ticking, and we have been through so many good times, we have to allow the system to go through a little transition in order to allow the new blood into a tried and tested system.

The Springboks end off their campaign with two feisty encounters against the dark horses, Argentina, when they visit Kings Park next month before playing the second test at the famous Twickenham Stadium.

With everybody now on a loss, the Springboks have the chance to put the Championship to bed when they head to New Zealand.

Australia has already started counting its casualties after a bruising encounter and will be without a few key players for their home games against Argentina.

All focus is on the Springboks as we try to build towards the next World Cup, where we could, should, and would make it three in a row.