Much better start for 2017 Boks

Springbok rugby coach Allister Coetzee will probably be sleeping a little easier after South Africa finished the weekend at the top of the Rugby Championship standings.

But Australia’s stunning performance against the All Blacks at the weekend will give him plenty to think about heading into the next round of matches.

South Africa’s 41-23 win over Argentina in Salta meant they are on nine points on the summit of the standings after two matches – the same points as New Zealand, yet with a superior points difference. Australia have one point and Argentina none.

The Springboks’ victory in South America was their fifth in a row in 2017, in complete contrast to the horrible 2016, when they won just four Tests from 12 internationals. It was also Coetzee’s first win on the road since taking charge of the national team last year.

The Boks are definitely playing with more confidence this year but the All Blacks’ last-gasp victory over Australia in the Bledisloe Cup in Dunedin on Saturday will give the men in green and gold plenty to ponder ahead of Tests against Australia in Perth and New Zealand in Albany next month. There may be tricky assignments ahead, but two wins from two is not a bad place to be.