Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick drove a stake into the ground he hoped would end the lingering debate about the identity of the best team in the world.
Fans of South Africa and Ireland have over the last few years offered contrasting opinions about who the best team in the world is but for Stick the matter has long been settled.
I think that argument for us was settled last year when we won the World Cup, whatever happens on Saturday, he said on the eve of Saturday's anticipated second Test in Durban.
Ireland is one of the best teams in the world. Win or lose we will still be the world champions, that won't change. We want to win the game but if we don't we will still be the world champions for the next fours years, said Stick in reference to the next Rugby World Cup which is actually three years away.
He stressed that South Africans had made up their minds about who the best team on the planet is.
