Undeterred by set piece malfunction the Springboks rolled up their sleeves in defence to record a hard-earned 18-12 victory over the All Blacks at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.
They bagged the long elusive Freedom Cup and put one hand on the Rugby Championship trophy in the process and while they were technically short of their lofty standards in the set pieces, they put shoulder to the wheel and tackled other areas with aplomb.
The Boks shut out the All Blacks who went try-less for the first time since they lost to Ireland on their northern hemisphere tour in 2018.
It also helped that All Blacks flyhalf Damian McKenzie missed three kicks from tee in the second half which will no doubt draw more questions about his suitability as the team's game-driving flyhalf.
The Boks stoutly defended their try line in the face of wave-upon-wave of New Zealand attack. Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Damian de Allende and Eben Etzebeth stood tall.
