The Springboks have suddenly found an inner, creative self that has come without compromising their traditional strengths of set-piece excellence and physical dominance at the collision point.
Their skill levels have shot up and their confidence to back themselves to play high tempo, expansive rugby has blossomed since Handrie Pollard came into the No 10 jersey.
They are the first team to beat the All Blacks in nearly two years and it's apparent they have ample room for growth over the next year.
But just as important to acknowledge is how well the All Blacks did to put their hand into the fire and just about pull the test out of the ashes.
Just as no side other than South Africa could have put them under such sustained pressure in the first 40 minutes, no other team but the All Blacks could have survived it. Ellis Park was a cauldron of rabid Bok intensity in that first half and it took huge resilience for the All Blacks to reach the break still in touch at 21-13.
It took even more courage, mental fortitude and extreme composure to turn the game on its head and lead by a point with seven minutes left.
That the game was genuinely in the balance until the 80th minute confirmed there is nothing between these two teams. It's flip of the coin stuff to separate them.
The other 79 minutes, however, suggested there might be a significant gap back to everyone else.
England have aspiration to play like these two. They wouldn't yet be able to survive the pace and intensity.
Ireland and Wales fancy they can be Celtic tigers with bite: they'd be swallowed whole by the All Blacks and Springboks in a World Cup knock-out game.
Watch: McCaw: All Black v Springbok reaction
France, even allowing for their propensity to reinvent themselves at World Cups, would be blown away. As for Australia, they would be like the proverbial egg in the microwave if they encountered rugby of the sort produced in Johannesburg.
"I think probably they [tests against South Africa] are the two big games of the year," said All Black coach Steve Hansen. "But there are plenty of games that are losable if we don't front up and do the preparation.
"While it might seem like there is a gap - it's really not that big.
"England are progressing pretty well and it will be interesting to see how they go in the Six Nations.
"I thought Australia were going okay but they seem to be shooting themselves in the foot a wee bit.
"For 70 minutes against the Boks [in Cape Town] ... that was a tremendous game until they folded. If they sort that out they become dangerous again and whenever we play them they are dangerous. There is not a lot of love between the two sides."
As always there is a mountain of rugby to be played between now and the World Cup, but it's unlikely there will be a seismic shift. The elephant in the room is only going to get bigger.
... things about next year's World Cup
League of their own
The All Blacks and South Africa look to have opened up a significant gap on the other playing nations.
Only a rose
England aspire to play like them but they wouldn't yet be able to survive the pace and intensity.
Tigers or pussycats?
Ireland and Wales fancy they can be Celtic tigers but they'd be swallowed whole by the All Blacks and Springboks in a knock-out game.
And the French?
France, even allowing for their propensity to reinvent themselves at World Cups, would be blown away.
