The Springboks' scheduling philosophy has always been ''anybody, anywhere, any time!''. This mantra explains why they are the only team to have beaten the All Blacks at home, not only this season but within the last decade.

Some experts say that professional rugby has gone soft. They point to the scheduling tactics of the major rugby nations as proof that ''the best'' in modern rugby is only a relative timing term. See the Wallabies' 53-8 Ellis Park scoreline.

While the 2008 season shows Australia and New Zealand at the top of the world, experts argue that teams like the Springboks, that create ALL the early schedules (and who are at least willing to test themselves), should not be punished if and when they lose.

The Boks are to slip to No.3 in the IRB rankings. A comparison of early 2008 rugby shows the Boks bolting out the blocks ahead of Australia and New Zealand. The Boks wanted to be tested and were hungry for the best the Six Nations and the world could deliver.

They hunted down the top teams in the world while Australia muddled around with Ireland and New Zealand and only had one goal in mind - ending 2008 at No.1 to clinch the top 2011 World Cup seeding (Rugby World Cup seedings for 2011 close at the end of the year and the All Blacks have strived for and gained an unassailable position guaranteeing them the best slot for 2011 - nicely done lads!).

The Boks have played all the rugby in 2008 and haven't played a cunning scheduling game. Any season that includes the Six Nations champions, the No.3 team in the IRB rankings (at that time Argentina), Italy, an away schedule featuring three games on the trot in New Zealand and Australia, hosting a double tag team attack from the No.1 and No.2 teams in the world, followed by France, England (away) and then the British Lions, must deserve some credit!