Cape Town - Former All Black captain Taine Randell says the Springbok-All Black Test at Ellis Park in October this year was one of the all-time classics.
As it happened: Boks v NZ
The No 1-ranked All Blacks beat the Springboks 38-27 in a seesaw encounter that saw nine tries being scored.
In his column on the stuff.co.nz website, Randell had high praise for his compatriots as well as the South Africans.
"The 38-27 win against the Springboks in Johannesburg stands out. It probably surpassed its billing, being regarded as one of the game's absolute classics. This is a very good Springboks team whose only two defeats all year came at the hands of the All Blacks. To beat them at Ellis Park was outstanding," Randell wrote.
Randell said the Springboks remain New Zealand's biggest threat on the rugby field, but also took note of the improvements of England and Australia under new coach Ewen McKenzie.
He said McKenzie needs to be given time as he's on a two-year plan and trying to make a much-needed cultural shift with the Wallabies.
Randell also had high praise for No 8 Kieran Read, who was earlier this week named as IRB Player of the Year.
Randell said Read's contribution comes in "so many areas with so much distinction".
He said Read has brought a timeless style to the No 8 jersey, a position that has been a tricky area for the All Blacks in recent years.
The 39-year-old Randell played 51 Tests for the All Blacks between 1997 and 2002, captaining them on 22 occasions.
CLICK HERE to read Taine Randell's full column on the stuff.co.nz website.
As it happened: Boks v NZ
The No 1-ranked All Blacks beat the Springboks 38-27 in a seesaw encounter that saw nine tries being scored.
In his column on the stuff.co.nz website, Randell had high praise for his compatriots as well as the South Africans.
"The 38-27 win against the Springboks in Johannesburg stands out. It probably surpassed its billing, being regarded as one of the game's absolute classics. This is a very good Springboks team whose only two defeats all year came at the hands of the All Blacks. To beat them at Ellis Park was outstanding," Randell wrote.
Randell said the Springboks remain New Zealand's biggest threat on the rugby field, but also took note of the improvements of England and Australia under new coach Ewen McKenzie.
He said McKenzie needs to be given time as he's on a two-year plan and trying to make a much-needed cultural shift with the Wallabies.
Randell also had high praise for No 8 Kieran Read, who was earlier this week named as IRB Player of the Year.
Randell said Read's contribution comes in "so many areas with so much distinction".
He said Read has brought a timeless style to the No 8 jersey, a position that has been a tricky area for the All Blacks in recent years.
The 39-year-old Randell played 51 Tests for the All Blacks between 1997 and 2002, captaining them on 22 occasions.
CLICK HERE to read Taine Randell's full column on the stuff.co.nz website.