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There’s a theory doing the rounds in South Africa that the All Blacks’ struggles in the international game can be directly traced back to the decision to axe South African sides from Super Rugby.

You reap what you sow is the gist of the thinking and some of the leading figures involved in the side touring the republic for back-toback Rugby Championship tests in Mbombela and Johannesburg did not exactly pour cold water on a school of thought that may just carry some weight.

The line from several in South Africa is that New Zealand rugby is currently paying the price for a lack of regular interaction with sides from the republic as the All Blacks struggle through a period that had seen them lose four of their most recent five tests ahead of the Rugby Championship early this morning (NZ time).

South African sides were part of Super Rugby since its inception in 1996 right through to the start of 2020, before Covid-19 arrived to shut the competition down in that format.

After struggling through localsonly competitions for the rest of that year and the first part of 2021, Super Rugby resumed on a broader scale with a trans-Tasman format at the end of 2021 and then a Pacific league this year that brought in the Fijian Drua and Auckland-based Moana Pasifika, alongside the 10 franchises from New Zealand and Australia.

Much at the time was made of South Africa’s exclusion from the post-Covid landscape in the south, with initial suggestions that New Zealand Rugby had forced the decision. The Kiwis have since countered that it was a move led by the Australians, who never felt the long distances and difficult time zones justified the upside of having representation from the republic.

All Blacks coach Ian Foster chose his words carefully when broached on the subject.

‘‘Wow, that’s a political question,’’ he said. ‘‘Do I miss playing South Africa? Yes I do. I think it’s great for us. We loved it in Super Rugby. I keep coming back to the fact that different styles, a great rivalry and intensity are all things you want to hone in your players to become better.

‘‘Clearly, Covid has changed a lot in the last two or three years, and countries have made difficult decisions. What I will say categori

cally is I think it’s vital for New Zealand and South Africa to stay tight in our rugby relationship.

‘‘There is so much legacy and history in this relationship, we’ve got to make sure we keep it strong. It’s our jobs as coaches and players to make sure we go out there and do that legacy proud with the way both teams play.’’

All Blacks skipper Sam Cane conceded there had been a cost to moving away from South Africa at the franchise level.

‘‘Super Rugby is certainly different these days to pre-Covid. That’s just the reality of it,’’ he said. ‘‘If you speak to any of the Kiwi boys, we always enjoy playing the South Africans to test ourselves physically. Although we pride ourselves on playing skilfully, the physical side is a component of the game that a lot of our boys relish as well.’’

Added centre Rieko Ioane: ‘‘Some of the toughest games I’ve played in the black jersey have been over here. The hardest games and toughest places to play are the ones you want to be a part of.’’ Veteran lock Sam Whitelock said it was a unique experience to play in South Africa, and one that added an important layer of experience. ‘‘It’s one of those spots where it’s hard to play, but that’s why I enjoy it so much.’’ And right now, as the All Blacks work their way through one of their toughest periods in the last decade, it’s hard to deny that New Zealand’s top players might be paying the price for playing less against the old enemy.