OPINION: If coach Ian Foster had hoped for a statement performance against the world champions in World Cup year, he got it - big time.
The opening 20 minutes from the All Blacks was like the opening 20 minutes of Saving Private Ryan, bombarding the visitors with an assault they had little answer for.
While the pace of the game slowed more to the Springboks' liking, New Zealand finished with a flourish to all but wrap up another Rugby Championship crown.
Here's how the All Blacks players stacked up individually:
1-Ethan de Groot 7
Contributed to an early scrum penalty, but the pack was shunted off ball a couple of times late in the first half. Was eventually subbed off for debutant Tamaiti Williams after another solid 60-minute effort.
2-Codie Taylor 6
Provided an early assist for Shannon Frizell's try and generally threw well to the lineout. Conceded a free-kick for a delayed feed and was penalised for not releasing in a tackle for South Africa to open their scoring.
Also threw a dusty no-look pass to Savea, before he was replaced by Samisoni Taukei'aho in the 55th minute.
3-Tyrel Lomax 7
After their emergence against the 'Boks last year, Lomax and de Groot have solidified their spots as the first-choice All Blacks props, with the former logging a solid 55 minutes, as the revered 'Bomb Squad' arrived off the bench.
4-Brodie Retallick 8
Dominated lineouts, as the All Blacks' main target, stealing one against the throw. Dangerous with ball in hand, while pulling off some massive tackles on defence, he was penalised in the build-up to South Africa's first try - but more than made up for that in other areas.
5-Scott Barrett 7
Throw an early intercept, when his team were hot on attack, but made a driving tackle on Kolbe in the second half and won a couple of lineouts in a full 80-minute performance.
6-Shannon Frizell 9
Charged out of the opening kickoff like a man possessed, charging fearlessly into the 'Boks defence and eventually rewarded with a try that brought back memories of Lomu. A high tackle conceded an early penalty, but he redeemed himself by stealing the ball back at the next ruck.
Pulled off a team-high 13 tackles, many of them bruising, before he was replaced by Vaa'i in the 72nd minute. Possibly his best outing in the black jersey.
7-Sam Cane 6
Had his hands on the ball early, including a delightful dummy and pass to Mark Telea down left flank. Won a ruck turnover, but left the game at halftime with what - hopefully - was just a neck stinger.
8-Ardie Savea 6
A realtively subdued performance against a big pack. Promoted to captain at halftime and provided the assist off the back of a scrum for Richie Mo'unga's late try.
9-Aaron Smith 7
Had the better of his duel with Faf de Klerk, scoring the first try of the game, by backing up Will Jordan's break down the right. Milked a cheeky penalty by exploiting a slow-retreating prop, but was bustled off the ball at the back of a scrum by his counterpart.
Replaced by Finlay Christie with 20 minutes remaining.
10-Richie Mo'unga 9
Any doubts about his mantle as first-choice No.10 were dispelled by a display that perfectly balanced his kicking and passing abilities. Forced the first knockon of the game, missed just one of seven attempts at goal, kicking a much-needed long-range penalty from near halfway, and rewarded with the final try.
11-Mark Telea 6
Looked for work early from kickoffs and made several dangerous runs for 57 metres. Showed glimpses of his aerial ability, but was caught out of position for Cheslin Kolbe's try.
12-Jordie Barrett 7
Has quietly cemented his role as a midfield mainstay, perhaps quieter than last week, but called on to make 10 tackles - most among the backs - in his 50th test. His stupendous 60m goal-line dropout was knocked on by counterpart Damian de Allende and he made a crucial defensive steal late in the contest.
13-Rieko Ioane 5
Another to have a quiet outing, before he was replaced by Braydon Ennor in the 67th minute.
14-Will Jordan 9
After sitting out last week against the Pumas, the winger sliced the Springboks apart in the opening 20 minutes. Featured 2-3 times in Smith's opening try, including a release and pickup for the assist.
Chased another Smith kick that almost produced a try for Ioane and featured prominently in Frizell's try. Almost had a try himself, when he dissected the defence, but lost the ball, before eventually controlling a bouncing kick from Beauden Barrett late in the game.
We never did get to see him at fullback, but surely that must come against the Wallabies.
15-Beauden Barrett 8
Solidified his spot at the back, with a playmaking performance that pefectly complemented Mo'unga. His kicking had the Springboks in fits early and eventually paid dividends with Jordan's try.
Almost conceded a try, when he was outjumped by Kolbe, who somehow failed to force.
16-Samisoni Taukei'aho 5
Entered for Taylor in the 55th minute, as the South African 'Bomb Squad' poured onto the field, and almost conceded a lineout with a shaky first throw.
17-Tamaiti Williams 5
Entered in 60th minute for de Groot and helped defuse the 'Bomb Squad', without showing out.
18-Nepo Laulala 6
Replaced Lomax in the 54th minute and won a scrum penalty that resulted in Mo'unga's try.
19-Tupou Vaa'i 5
Entered in the 72nd minute for Frizell, but didn't show out.
20-Dalton Papali'i 6
Replaced Cane at halftime, but was largely buried in the tight, making eight tackles in his 40 minutes.
21-Finlay Christie 6
Came on for Smith in the 60th minute and was under pressure from the resurgent 'Boks. Showed his strength by holding up Manie Libbok for a maul turnover.
22-Braydon Ennor 5
Entered in the 67th minute for Ioane.
23-Caleb Clarke 5
Entered game in 78th minute for Telea.
Grant Chapman is Newshub's online sports lead
