Though known as Knuckles, Australia's Wallaby coach John Connolly might be re-monikered the Saviour following his team's savaging of the Springboks by 49 points to nil in Brisbane on Saturday.
It was the biggest win over the Springboks by any team ever. And it is even more remarkable because it follows the humiliating 32-12 loss to the All Blacks in game one of the Tri-Nations in Christchurch two weeks ago.
What bought about the dramatic turnaround? Top of the list is attitude. Second is the return from injury of the million-dollar-man, inside centre Matt Giteau. Thirdly, the injury-hit Springboks played poorly.
Attitude manifests most starkly in defence. The Wallabies kept the Springboks tryless. As well, they conceded no penalties within kicking range, which is a remarkable Test-match achievement.
No one would have expected Giteau to star in his first match back. But the highest-paid player in Australia transformed the Wallaby backline from a group of brilliant individuals into a cohesive unit that dazzled the defence.
His ability to get the ball wide allowed the mercurial flyhalf Stephen Larhkam to step inside the outwardly focussed defence and set up a try for prop Greg Holmes.
Giteau's left foot was also used when he moved to flyhalf, kicked wide to open-side wing Lote Tuquiri, who flicked the ball back to fullback Chris Latham, who scored.
Of course, Giteau scored two tries himself. The first, the result of his brilliant footwork. The second, after he got a miracle pass away, continued to back up, then fielded a cross-kick from replacement winger Clyde Rathbone.
On the third point, as everyone knows, it is easy to let standards slip against shoddy opponents. But the Wallabies remained focussed, which is a telling testament to their discipline.
The only positive to come from the game for the Springboks is that they play the best team in the world, the All Blacks, in Wellington this weekend. That means they will have an extra week's grace before facing the enraged South African rugby fans, who were already baying for White's blood after the Springboks lost to France in their last game.
After the All Blacks beat the Springboks on Saturday, they travel to Brisbane to replay the Wallabies on July 29 in a game that is crucial to both the Tri-Nations and the Bledisloe Cup, which is the trophy the All Blacks and the Wallabies contest each year.
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