South Africa

World ranking: 2 The Springboks’ only losses this year were to New Zealand in the Rugby Championship. The test in Johannesburg was rightly labeled one of the greatest matches ever between the two countries, a brutally physical contest that featured thrilling attacks from both sides.

The Springboks are playing a far more attacking brand of rugby since Heyneke Meyer took over.

South African forwards have always been among the best in the world, and now they have a back line whose first instinct isn’t just to kick the ball away, but to spread it wide. Players like Willie Le Roux have provided a spark in the attack, and the Springboks have greatly improved their decision-making and their ability to attack in a broken field, resulting in more tries. Being far less predictable has made them a much greater threat, and if any team is to end New Zealand’s current winning streak, it is likely to be the Springboks.

Australia

World ranking: 3 This year has been a turbulent one for the Wallabies, but they showed signs of emerging from the dark times on their end-of-year tour of Europe.

Since taking over for Robbie Deans after a disappointing 2-1 series loss to the British and Irish Lions, Ewen McKenzie has worked hard to change the mindset of his players, both on and off the field. He dropped Will Genia and stripped the captaincy from James Horwill when both were underperforming. He suspended six players for a game after they stayed out drinking until the early hours a few days before the test against Ireland, while another nine got written or verbal warnings.

But progress is being made. The attack is starting to fire again, thanks to Quade Cooper and Israel Folau, who has been one of the best players in the world in just his first year of international rugby.

Likewise, Christian Leali’ifano and Matt Toomua have shown promise in their rookie international seasons. Up front, Michael Hooper is developing into a world-class openside flanker, and Ben Mowen has continued to impress since taking over the captain’s role.

But issues around the scrum remain, and Australia’s inability to defeat the All Blacks is becoming an increasingly bigger burden.