Gap has closed between north and south - Davids

Springbok assistant coach Deon Davids believes that the gap between the Northern Hemisphere teams and their Southern Hemisphere counterparts has closed significantly, so much so that a year out from the World Cup there is very little to choose between the teams.

Davids, speaking from the team’s base at Arabella near Hermanus on Monday, said the gap had tightened, and this was backed up by a weekend of results where four Northern Hemisphere sides triumphed in the South in an historic weekend for their rugby.

Ireland beat New Zealand, England overcame Australia and Scotland downed Argentina to go with the first Welsh win ever on South African soil for a historic day.

"I think teams get better every year in terms of game plans and adapting to different situations and styles," said Davids.

"We could see in the United Rugby Championship how teams adapted over a period of time, and I feel that the gap between the different international teams is getting closer.

"Every game now, you can't confidently say which way it will go in terms of the quality you see every week."

Davids believes that the gap will be significantly less over the next few months, especially as teams head towards the Rugby World Cup.

"I think it's going to become more challenging as we build up towards the World Cup, because teams are seeking answers and want to find the perfect squad and settle in terms of their game plans," he said.

"All the players use these games to get to that point where they feel comfortable. I just think it's very close right now in terms of the top teams in the world."

The Boks need to win their final test against Wales to avoid a humiliating home series defeat, something that was unthinkable a few months back.

Ireland’s rise has been notable and they have beaten New Zealand three times out of the last six meetings, and the first time in New Zealand this past weekend while Eddie Jones's England side blow hot and cold and were totally outplayed in the first test against Australia.

If there is something to be said about an old-fashioned three-test series, it is the highly competitive second test where inevitably it is more difficult for the winning side in the first test as the desperation comes through from the losing side.

The coming weekend will see series deciders in Australia, New Zealand, Argentina and Cape Town.

And a year out from the Rugby World Cup, that can only be a good thing.

France, the team most favoured for the tournament, have gone under the radar in Japan and will be watching the other teams' results with interest.