The rivalry between the All Blacks and Springboks has been the pinnacle of world rugby for more than a century. In the professional era, the connection through Super Rugby and rugby tournaments has become more frequent and deeper.

With South African clubs integrated into European competition, strained relations between SARU and NZR, and ambitious outside investors in the Six Nations, it would be extremely naive to rule out the Springboks’ exit from the rugby championship.

The days of empty threats are over – this time with the prospect of an epic split in the southern hemisphere
The scale is worryingly real.

Where does that put rugby’s biggest rival?