Choosing between Charles Piutau and Waisake Naholo for the All Blacks is child's play compared to what the Springboks coach Heyneke Meyer faced, writes Chris Rattue.

Under an air of pageantry on a night that threatened to turn stormy in Durban, 30 Springboks were selected to represent their country in England for the World Cup.

Head coach Heyneke Meyer is confident the Springboks are capable of beating anyone in the game.

Springbok prop Jannie du Plessis believes the two consecutive losses will make the Springboks' resolve even stronger heading in to the RWC.

For an All Black team on their last legs on the high veld, it was manna from heaven. Patrick McKendry reports.

As recently as last year, Springbok Bismarck du Plessis was widely considered the best hooker in the world. No longer and it's clear Dane Coles has overtaken him.

Justin Marshall writes: South Africa dominated for large patches but would have been left with a feeling familiar.

Michael Cheika has stressed there are "no gambles" in his Wallabies side for tonight's Rugby Championship opener against South Africa at Suncorp Stadium.

The All Blacks Sevens are closing the gap on World Series leaders South Africa, but Gordon Tietjens' men will be licking their wounds after defeat to Fiji in yesterday's Las Vegas Cup final.

It's increasingly hard to ignore the elephant in the room - that the All Blacks and Springboks are on a crash course to meet in next year's World Cup semifinal.

While the All Blacks have no desire to downplay South Africa's victory or obvious potential, it's not as if they don't have similar room for growth, writes Gregor Paul.

For too long the Springboks were tied to the goal-kicking rewards Morne Steyn gave them.

Wallabies vice-captain James Slipper says his side are hopeful they can end a Cape Town winning drought in their test against the Springboks.

Justin Marshall writes: There's always been a lot of debate about the merits and points value of drop goals in rugby last weekend's successful shot elicited another chorus of boos.

The 30-man squad for the All Blacks Rugby Championship test matches in Argentina and South Africa has been finalised.

Games between the All Blacks and South Africa are brutal affairs and the exchanges are fierce, the hits come from all directions and there is little respite for 80 minutes.

There wouldn't have been one person who went away from Westpac Stadium disappointed in the test match they watched.

After a brutal and intense match against the Springboks in Wellington the All Blacks knew it could have gone either way but, they give credit to the Springboks in what was an intense test match.

Springboks head coach Heyneke Meyer was proud of his teams effort against the world champion All Blacks in a very close match in Wellington.

All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen says 'it was a pretty good test match and it's a shame in a game like that someone has to lose, but I'm glad it wasn't us. Captain Richie McCaw says 'it wasn't perfect, but to guts out a win like that we're pretty happy'.

Herald Rugby writers Gregor Paul and Patrick McKendry are joined by Radio Sport Nigel Yalden to give their expert opinion and analysis after the All Blacks 14-10 win against the Springboks in Wellington.