Springboks’ 14-year record under threat from All Blacks, can they break it?

The All Blacks find themselves in a good position to break a 14 year-old record from the Springboks as the year draws to a close.

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The Springboks and the All Blacks have been jostling for the world number one ranking all year long, but it seems like that is not where it ends. 

Both sides have been competing all year

The rankings are just one pf plenty of places that the Springboks and All Blacks have been battling in. Both very proud and powerful rugby playing nations, it is always a bone crunching affair whenever they take to the field against each other. With the South Africans sitting out 2020, the rivalry between the two powerhouses was reignited this year and boy was it worth the wait. 

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The Springboks and the All Blacks treated both their fans and those of the sport of rugby across the world to two mouthwatering and tightly contested Rugby Championship encounters in Australia. Proving how little it has taken to separate the two sides of late, both games were settled by a kick in the dying minutes of each game. 

Teams traded blows in the Rugby Championship

The first test saw All Blacks full back Jody Barrett slot in from the cone near the touchline to hand his side the victory, while an Elton Jantjies drop goal won the last game for the Springboks. With that, the All Blacks have already got one over the Springboks by winning the Rugby Championship and by the looks of things, it might not end there. 

All Blacks in line to break this Springbok record

The All Blacks are also in line to break the record for the most Test points scored in a calendar year. The record is currently held by Jake Whites’ Springbok side who amassed a total of 658 points in 17 Tests in the year they claimed the 2007 Rugby World Cup. Should the All Blacks managed to score 31 more points in their last three games this year, the record would belong to them. 

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The All Blacks will surely fancy their chances as they face Italy this weekend, followed by the likes of Ireland and France. The Springboks will be hoping for a miracle to restrict the New Zealanders from achieving that in the coming weeks, but is that hope realistic?