Apart from the clash against New Zealand, when some of the forward battle spoils were shared, the Springbok pack has pretty much had things their own way at the World Cup.

The Boks have emerged from the side of the draw where Ireland were supposed to be a roadblock, while Wales was potentially a cul-de-sac.

Ireland didn’t pitch up, which meant it was the Japan pack that got dismantled bit by bit, while Wales were eventually battered and beaten by the final whistle in the semifinal...