The Springboks were outplayed in the first Test match. That’s a fact. Were they outplayed by themselves or by a resilient, creative, difficult opposition? For me, that’s the much bigger question.

The team seemed a little disconnected and flat. I know it’s just a view from the ‘couch’, so to speak, but it took a long time before Andre Esterhuizen injected some grunt to power over the line and gave all of the South Africa supporters a ray of hope.

I have spoken and written a lot these last few weeks about battles and clashes and respect and brutality. On that front, I have to give the All Blacks a better mark out of ten than the Springboks for all of these.

I don’t feel the contact areas (tackle/ruck/maul) were policed as I understand them, but we have the goods to be better. It gave New Zealand a massive advantage. They played that ruck and tackle game much better than us. The Springbok forwards, I think, are well drilled.

They are in fantastic physical condition, but this was a case of being outthought and out-delivered in an area of the game where New Zealand knew that they had to match or better us to give themselves a chance.

They did better than that and came out on the right side of a scoreboard that probably flattered them at the end of the day but certainly isn’t one that we’ll be very proud of. In close games, we have proven we are able to change how we react, and we didn’t do that this time around.

It gave the men in black a huge advantage as the beleaguered Springboks couldn’t drive home any benefits that arrived for them.

I am a staunch South Africa supporter, and I don’t apologise for it, but I watched a match where control seemed to slip away from us and into the hands of the waiting and keen All Blacks. Perhaps via the referee, but I certainly wouldn’t make that my biggest excuse.

I think there were a number of players who were trying to play themselves back into form as opposed to showing the form that they have been able to display in the past and being able to deliver for their team, but it’s a challenge.

When Rassie Erasmus was asked if this is a catastrophe, he said we have faced catastrophe in many situations in the recent past, and he’s right.

It’s an opportunity to rebuild the confidence, reset the standards, and renew the challenge against the All Blacks.

The games left in a four-match series mean it’s time to put up or shut up. The Springboks have always been very good at that.

Cape Town, however, is not a happy hunting ground for South Africa. Not good news.

The All Blacks have a better-than-par record against South Africa there, and the unerring boot of many flyhalves has allowed them to snatch wins in difficult weather conditions.

So, the question is whether we will see the same kind of physical up-front nature that we did in Johannesburg.

I’m sure we will, but South Africa will have to counter this and not repeat their mistake of giving NZ the run of the merry-go-round from about 20 minutes into the match.

Lions to the ‘almost’ rescue!!

A wonderful match that showed the guts and physical ability of a Lions side, where Chris Smith was amazing with the boot and in controlling the midfield. The Lions benefited from the odd intercept pass, and there was some good physicality up front. They were locked at three tries each at half-time, and if it wasn’t for Richie Mo’unga dotting over and a last-minute try, it could have been a win for the domestic side.

What a fantastic showcase of why we go bananas when we hear about these tours, and what a great outing for a domestic side that’s been below par of late.

The Lions can be really, really proud of the way they played against one of the best rugby teams in the world.

The All Black fans have posted on social media about spending some time on safari and in the African bush, a great showcase for what’s available in our beautiful country for visitors. It’s lovely to have the travelling support that they have following the team enjoying not only our outdoors but also our culinary delights and the company and friendship of South African rugby fans. To be a big part of that and the history of this in these countries is hugely important. Long may it last.

Big Test match this weekend. I’m biting my fingernails to the quick. I cannot wait for the clash that might determine how this all ends up.