This was the All Blacks' finest victory of the year

BY MARC HINTON

OPINION: Does it get any better? The Springbok sweep is completed, but more to the point the All Blacks have shown in Soweto overnight that they are on course to go down as one of the great sides of this generation.

Their 29-22 victory over the Springboks achieved all sorts of landmarks - their 10th Tri-Nations title in 15 years, their 14th straight test victory in a run that shows no sign of abating and, importantly, their third win in as many outings against the Boks in 2010.

The horrors of 2009 are now not only avenged, they're a distant memory. The Springboks have been swept, now just the Australians await. Surely the wobbling Wallabies are just another statistic waiting to be hoovered up by this hungry side of Graham Henry's.

In many ways this was the finest test victory of their eight straight in 2010, led by a magnificent performance by the world's best rugby player, Richie McCaw. There quite simply is not a more influential figure in the game and the skipper was at his marauding best in this historic clash at the National Stadium.

In front of 94,700 mostly disappointed souls - a record crowd for a rugby match in the republic - the All Blacks crossed possibly their final frontier for 2010. They've won with razzle-dazzle, they've won with resolve, they've won hitherto from in front, and now they've shown that this fine side of Henry's can win from behind. That they can dig their way out of a hole.

That's what's commonly referred to as a bloody good sign.

Down 16-9 in the first half, 22-14 midway through the second, the All Blacks demonstrated vividly they possess not just fighting qualities, but the nous, the wherewithal and the resolve to run a side down from behind. Sure they needed some luck, and the benefit of one or two borderline calls, to go their way.

But great teams make their luck. They find a way. Sean Fitzpatrick's warriors of '96 and '97 did, winning numerous tests from tricky positions. So too the great side circa the '87 World Cup. The fact that McCaw and his men were able to haul in the tiring Boks with a well-timed late run spoke volumes for the qualities of this current generation of All Blacks.

To topple the Boks at home, at altitude, on such a big occasion -- with all they had to play for -- was a telling tribute to an All Blacks side that no longer verges on greatness. They are surely there.

One quick point. This means nothing as concerns the World Cup next year. That is a single event that will have to be crossed off at another time.

What we need to do right now is savour this All Black run for what it is. Inhale. Taste the sweet aroma of success.

The odds were stacked against the All Blacks succeeding in this historic test in Johannesburg's famous black township. It was John Smit's 100th international, the first rugby test to be played in Soweto, the Boks were desperate to secure their first Tri-Nations victory, and for 77 minutes they made the running.

But good teams find a way. Great sides summon victory from the jaws of defeat.

Led by McCaw, and with some superb support, the All Blacks did that. They scored two tries in the last three minutes to stun the Boks and underline their own immortality.

This was a test match the New Zealanders had no right winning. It was exactly the sort of contest they've lost at the last five World Cups.

But they triumphed when, not disaster, but disappointment was written in their tea leaves.

So who to laud? Have I mentioned McCaw? Having covered the entirety of this guy's career I should be immune to his magnificence. I am not. He still provokes awe with his mix of inspiration and perspiration. He is the seven wonder of this rugby world.

But others came to the party too. Ma'a Nonu provided trhe match-winning brilliance at the end of a fine match, and his power and distribution are a heady combination. Cory Jane, Brad Thorn, Kevvy Mealamu, Tony Woodcock, Conrad Smith, Piri Weepu and Israel Dagg off the bench... they were all magnificent.

What's more the All Blacks prevailed without Dan Carter's usual brilliance. The maestro had an off day and the New Zealanders still won. That's a good sign.

Now it's Australia in Sydney in three weeks. The All Blacks will be rested and revived. The Wallabies will have just gone back to back against the Boks at altitude.

It's hard to see how this show doesn't just roll right along.

- © Fairfax NZ News