The relevance of the Springboks’ historic thrashing of the All Blacks on Friday night must not be dismissed as South Africa chases an unprecedented fourth World Cup title, writes MARK KEOHANE.

Defending champions, the Boks completed their World Cup preparations with a record 35-7 win against New Zealand at a sold-out Twickenham.

The South Africans ran in five tries, skipper Siya Kolisi leading the way before Kurt-Lee Arendse, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi and Kwagga Smith all went over, to hand the Kiwis’ their heaviest defeat of all time.

It was also an ideal way for the Boks to serve notice of their intentions ahead of a title defence they start against Scotland in Marseille on 10 September, and writing for TimesLIVE, Keohane suggests the stars have aligned for Kolisi and his men as they head to France.

KEO: Bok bench to rip apart All Blacks

“Friday night was a disaster for the All Blacks. They may have to wait another 24 years to add to their three World Cup successes,” he writes. “The Boks may have to wait just two months to make it a record fourth title success.

“They arrive at the World Cup as defending champions, as favourites and get to France looking like a squad who have timed a two-month peak to perfection.

“The Boks played seven forwards and one back on the bench for the first time in the game’s history. Such is the nature of this squad, that they could probably play with eight forwards on the bench.

“This was an all-win night for the Springboks and South African rugby. How it plays out at the World Cup can only be answered at the World Cup, but it would be wrong to dismiss the relevance of this record-breaking night because of the permutations of the pending World Cup.”

Photo: @Springboks/Twitter