While Nelson Mandela wore a jersey with the 46664 jail number to signify his detention torment on Robben Island, the All Blacks continued to be a prisoner of their flat backline theory.
The shallow attack ideas have produced just four All Black tries in the Tri-Nations - compared with 17 last season - while their Wallaby and Springbok opponents have gathered 10 touchdowns.
Coach Graham Henry and backline boss Wayne Smith have spoken repeatedly about persisting with the flat formation. They argue it creates more problems for the defence and when perfected, will deliver an even greater threat from the All Blacks.
But their philosophy does not deal with several other questions.
What was the rationale behind switching from a backline style which was so productive last year?
And why are the All Blacks trying a pattern which does not appear to suit the flair, instincts and skills of our players?
Henry was chosen as the All Black coach. After the latest failure against the Springboks, he needs to assert himself more, otherwise the back-play argument could impact on his job.
He is loyal to his staff so he defends the flat attack theory.
But Henry is the coach.
Since the first half against England at Carisbrook, the All Blacks have degenerated or stagnated.
It said something that the best All Black yesterday was midfielder Sam Tuitupou - and he played with a broken rib, a sprained ankle and a cut inside his mouth.
All year there has been little fluency behind the pack from Justin Marshall, Carlos Spencer, Daniel Carter and Tana Umaga, but the only player to get the chop was Spencer.
If Spencer is the "genius" as described by Smith, why have his talents been dismissed by asking him to play an alien style? The system destroyed Spencer.
At Ellis Park there was little evidence of any great structure, of any powerful plan or ability by the All Blacks to adhere to some tactics.
There was too much frothy nonsense, pass-the-hot-potato stuff which signified a lack of confidence.
The pack were hounded, the loose forwards were out-muscled and it deteriorated from there.
The Boks were up for the test, they were vigorous, passionate and more hungry.
But you could never describe them as better than a good international group, not yet.
They used the blindside to telling effect, much the way the Pacific Islanders embarrassed their senior rugby cousins.
Had Percy Montgomery nailed a few more kicks the result could have been even more galling.
Wynne Gray: The All Blacks plan isn't working
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