Stop the bus! Matt Williams, the man who’s made a career out of throwing shade at the Springboks, has actually said something nice about them. The Australian pensioner and former Scotland coach, who’s spent years moaning about Rassie’s “bully ball” tactics, the dreaded Bomb Squad, and South Africa’s supposed obsession with turning rugby into a scrum‑and‑kick festival, has finally tipped his hat.

In his latest Irish Times column, the outspoken pundit — usually more predictable than Richie McCaw entering from the side — suddenly changed his tune. With Ireland set to face New Zealand, South Africa, and Australia in the Autumn internationals, Williams warned that the Irish had better keep up with the tactical evolution happening in the Rugby Championship… or risk being left in the dust.

Gushing over the Boks’ 43‑10 demolition of the All Blacks in Wellington — a six‑try masterclass that left New Zealand looking like they’d shown up to the wrong sport. “Even the Springboks, the greatest scrum, maul and kick team in the world, have developed a spectacular running attack,” Williams admitted.

Somewhere, Rassie’s probably grinning like a cat that just stole the cream and the dairy farm.