Despite the nostalgia attached to South African involvement, though, their time in Super Rugby is perhaps viewed with rose-tinted glasses.

At the time of their exit in 2020, it had been nine seasons since a South African team won the title. What’s more, with South African sides staging matches during the day, touring Kiwi sides often had little New Zealand broadcast audience.

Suggestions that lack of exposure to South Africa at Super Rugby level has left the All Blacks underprepared hold weight, but it’s also worth pointing out that New Zealand both start and finish their test season against Northern Hemisphere opposition, with the Springboks sandwiched between as part of the Rugby Championship.

By Alex Powell.

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