The Quilter series

Of the Northern Hemisphere sides, England were the winners of this series though – as “THE RUST” had predicted – Argentina gave them a close call and, when the excellent Santi Carreras burst through in injury time, they might actually have won. England will surely be favourites for the Six Nations as Ireland now look over the hill and France did not impress against Australia.

South Africa emerged as true World Champions, which of course they are. They were once accused of being behemoths and in the best Afrikaans traditions they do not disdain the rough tackle, so much so that their brilliant fly half Sasha Feinberg-Mgomuzulu might haven sin-binned.

The Rugby World Cup is still two years away but the Proteans and All Blacks must be favourites.