Why the All Blacks’ mid-week tour games were a triumph for South African rugby

The recent mid-week tour matches between South Africa's franchises and New Zealand's All Blacks turned out to be a resounding success for South African rugby. The final whistle on Tuesday signaled the end of an era for traditional tours, as the All Blacks returned to full international mode. Local spectators appreciated the fresh air brought by the Springboks and All Blacks clashes, which usually involve relentless physicality and precision.

These franchise tour matches offered something unique, as the All Blacks fielded mostly members of their wider squad, allowing for experimentation. While these encounters were as physical as full internationals, expansive running rugby took center stage. The four matches against the Stormers, Sharks, Bulls, and Lions were squeezed into a three-week window, with the exception of the Lions fixture occurring before their first Test against the All Blacks.

The tour provided rugby fans with a treat. Although quality fluctuated, the highlight was the thrilling final match at Ellis Park, where the Lions led 35-17 before New Zealand clawed their way back to secure a 41-35 victory in the final minute. Ultimately, the scoreboard mattered less than the narrative of South African franchises standing toe-to-toe with the world's premier rugby nation.

This tour marked a fitting climax to the first of its kind in South Africa in 30 years, spoiling Mzansi's rugby faithful for three weeks.