Heinrich Brussow might be out of the Springbok equation but his replacement flanker Francois Louw has quickly made his mark.
It's one that older rugby heads might recall but the last time the South Africans won at Eden Park, in 1937, one of its key players was Boy Louw, a remarkably durable forward, who was mainly a loose forward but who appeared in every position his side's scrum during an 18-Test career.
That loss 17-3 in 1937 still ranks as one of the most devastating losses the All Blacks suffered as five tries were leaked in an era not renowned for try-scoring.
The 2010 version would love to emulate that feat because it would extend their psychological hold over their long-time rivals, the All Blacks.
Louw, who has played for the Stormers since 2008 but who has made his Test debut this year said it was every South African players' dream to play the All Blacks.
Louw said he was a fan of Brussow's and he felt they played a similar type of style, although Brussow had shown the way in adapting to the various law changes at the breakdown in recent years.
"Hopefully I can be the same and carry on moving in that way," Louw said.
And the challenge of marking All Blacks captain Richie McCaw was one he was looking forward to.
"He's one of the greats of rugby, he's proven himself over the years," he said, and added that it would be a great honour to play against him but moreso in New Zealand.
"I had my first game against him at Newlands in 2008 which was great. We had a little chat after the game and it was just a great experience to play against a player like that."
Louw did feel that the law changes had achieved their goal and the attacking team was enjoying the advantage at the breakdown so it was a little more tricky to get in and contest the ball.
Players were also much more conscious of giving away penalties because they invariably conceded three points.
But there is no doubt the effectiveness of the Springboks loose forward combination where he should be paired with No.8 Pierre Spies and flanker Schalk Burger has not been greatly diminished in Brussow's absence.
Springbok captain John Smit said when Brussow got injured earlier in the season it was a case of scratching the head and wondering who would replace him.
But Louw had stepped up and in the four Tests he had played so far he had been man of the match in three of them.
"It just shows how the culture of the team helps someone who has got the potential to play well to fit in straight away," he said.