A LOT has happened since the Springboks were last in action over 609 days ago. Corona was merely a drinkable beer. The only pandemic to speak of in rugby terms was the exodus of loose forwards to the UK.
And Siya Kolisi’s men were rightfully ranked the No.1 team on the planet having swept England aside at the World Cup final.
In a strange twist of the algorithm, South Africa still sit top of the pile. They didn’t look it on Friday as they spluttered their way to an unconvincing 40-9 win over Georgia.
It would take a cruel scribe to scythe a side that has been out of action ...