Precise and relentless. Two words that accurately define the All Blacks' ruthlessness in disposing of the two World Cup finalists to give them the best 2008 calendar record of any international team. 

Four wins from four. Less than a year ago, no fewer than ten starting All Blacks left New Zealand, taking away from the team approximately 400 international caps. Richie McCaw, arguably their best player and captain, was absent. Eight players had never played a Springbok team and half of the starting line-up had played less than 15 Tests.

 The Springboks came to New Zealand as world champions, tagged as the best on the planet and on a handsome 14-game winning streak. But this was not the performance we would come to expect with such a talent-laden outfit. This was no ruthless control of lineouts from Victor Matfield. Dan Carter and Ali Williams were the best players on the New Zealand side, and their opposites Butch James and Bakkies Botha were more intent to play schoolyard bully, instead of playing like world champions.

In the end it was comprehensive. The All Blacks strangled all control and imposed themselves in poor conditions to score a 10-0 second half.  Dan Carter was superb again, backed by a first-class centre channel in which Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith showed the importance of an equally intelligent and brutal combination. 

The pack was mighty. They were not humbled in the air, courtesy of a man-of-the-match performance from Ali Williams. The All Black front row looks as impressive as always; no need now to mention the men who used to be there. The New Zealand props are at the top of the world pecking order for such positions, and it is rare that a solid Springbok scrum is pushed about. 

 The much-vaunted loose-forward operation of the world champions was average. The All Black back row was fantastic, with both Jerome Kaino and Adam Thompson looking like veterans. And captain Rodney So’oialo – a man who is deeply moved at his captaincy – was a warhorse at the front; there was no backwards step from him, and he ensured his team was never going to lose.

The Springboks looked at times like they have the game to trouble New Zealand, but there were more moments where they did not. A two-Test whitewash is not impossible and it is a reality check that South Africa are good enough to avoid. One thing is very certain, there is daylight between these two teams and the rest of the world.  These Springboks are good enough to go unbeaten at home – but methodically they need to improve their game. 

This was a good team of men in the green to beat the All Blacks, but hopefully they will learn that physical intimidation does not win a game at the elite level of competition.  They are better than they were at Wellington - and they won the World Cup by playing winning rugby, not on-field thuggery.

The All Blacks, defending Tri-Nations champions, have now recorded a world-record 30-game home streak. They have only lost twice in the 21st century at home. They have also now won over 80 games since 2000 – 20 better than any other team. They reclaim the position as IRB No.1 ranked nation in the world, a title they lost by virtue of one World Cup loss. Winning this year’s Tri-Nations crown would be their ninth title in 12 years; a more incredible feat when you consider that the three Southern giants are ranked the top three teams in the game.

Carter is simply the best No.10 in the game.  The All Black scrum is all powerful, and their new tier of stars, headlined by Nonu and Kaino, are looking in daunting form. It must be remembered that this was Graham Henry’s 49th win in charge in four years. The Tri-Nations is his to lose with the team he has at his disposal, but the Springboks will again pose a fearsome challenge in the yawning Cathedrals of the Cape; and Robbie Deans’ Wallabies will be highly informed of the New Zealand style of play.

South Africa may lose to the All Blacks again this year, but it is unlikely they will have their colours lowered by any other team. Even in a display where even their truest fans would agree that the performance was poor – Peter de Villiers has the players to trouble New Zealand, even at home. 

However, as the All Blacks themselves are learning, combinations make the difference, and cohesive would not be a word used in describing the world champions right now.  If they do not perform again, they risk three defeats by what are now the first and third-ranked teams in the world, and the world champions would return to a maelstrom in South Africa in a position where they may have already lost the Tri-Nations.

Finally, Matfield, Botha, John Smit and James were found wanting in matching with their strongest foes. All four looked below their best, and there was a disturbing lack of presence in the loose of the Springbok locks and flankers. De Villiers knows that without parity at the ruck, they will not beat this All Black team.

Henry now has an All Black first XV as his disposal that is at the highest level, whereas De Villiers is still unsure as to his best Springbok starting unit. But without a win this weekend he would have failed at the harshest of arenas, and his own words will sound prophetic as he contemplates his team’s failed billing of world champions. The game at Dunedin is now a marker for the Springboks - win there or lose huge face back home. 

The fans of the world champions will not be kind...

Prediction: The cold of the House of Pain to allow the All Blacks to take a two-nil series sweep. New Zealand by 14 - Conrad Smith first try.