September 17, 1949: South Africa 11 New Zealand 8 (at Crusaders Ground, Port Elizabeth).

This is a significant game for me for many reasons beyond the fact that it was played on my home ground and brought to an end one era of South African domination over New Zealand.

From September 4, 1937 for a period of almost exactly 12 years, New Zealand couldn't compete with South African dominance in the rugby world.

Away or at home, the Springboks ruled the rugby world.

Many New Zealanders are not quick to admit that their have been decades where rugby union has ebbed and flowed to and fro between South African and All Black domination.

They'll splinter rugby history into all sorts of convenient fractions highlighting professional era statistics, neutral referee eras, steamboat travel decades and such and such and such.

The truth is, South Africa are due for another decade of dominance and I've been tickled by the NZRU's attitude in all this as they seem to be aware that the writing is on the wall.

Recently, the NZRU announced that New Zealand's current rugby union slump was 'a minor temporary blip' and nothing to be alarmed about. How funny is that?

Designer Kiwi back-patting - everything is OK. A very positive and reassuring attitude, no doubt - but without divine supernatural visions and knowledge of the future, who really knows?

New Zealand could be on a downward spiral like the decade South Africa recently suffered and the NZRU might just have to deal with it.

I think South Africa look good to go. As preparation leads to proper performance, the Springboks have put in the work to put them ahead.

They deserve their current run on top. Not only are they the best-prepared squad in the world at the minute, the South African camp looks likely to slowly blood a number of younger players who look full of talent.

My top picks for the future are Jongi Nokwe, Rory Kockett, Daniel Wessels, Phillip Roux and Andries Bekker.

With plenty in the tank, South Africa look set to make a decade of this winning streak and set straight some dismal rugby statistics.

Who knows, if the NZRU's 'reassuring' predictions don't pan out, South Africa might dominate that head-to-head statistics very soon, which stand at 40 victories for the All Blacks, 34 for the Springboks and three draws.