Sydney demanded a response from the Springboks and Siya Kolisi led the charge.
Kolisi was colossal.
This was proper Test rugby and Kolisi set the standard in intensity.
It was a statement performance from the Springboks captain and when he led, the rest followed. It made for a beautiful occasion for the Springboks in Sydney, given this is just the fifth Bok win against the Wallabies in Australia since 1996.
The Boks, having made eight changes and a positional switch, were a different team from the one that bumbled its way through the first 75 minutes in Adelaide when behind 25-3.
There was no such bumbling in Sydney because Kolisi and his forwards started with vigour and composure and finished with similar vigour and composure.
Kolisi often takes a beating on social media and in the traditional media for his performances at regional level, but there can never be doubting his commitment, effectiveness or contribution in a Springboks jersey.
Lukhanyo Am’s absence because of knee surgery made the Boks vulnerable defensively, but the fears never played out because the Bok forwards never allowed the Wallabies pack to get parity, let alone the dominance needed to launch their lethal back division.
Every one of the Boks made that green and gold jersey bigger than anything gold on the night
The Boks’ finishing was indifferent at times and the decision-making on the final pass was questionable, but these are elements of their play that can be fixed.
What can’t be fixed is the attitude of a player who can’t find the necessary adrenaline to produce an effort when wearing his country’s jersey. In Sydney, the Boks lacked for nothing when it came to attitude, aggression and commitment.
Every individual played for his mate and every one of the Boks made that green and gold jersey bigger than anything gold on the night.
Steven Kitshoff and Malcolm Marx, starting at No 1 and No 2, respectively, also took a sledgehammer to the theory that front rowers can’t produce excellence beyond 80 minutes in the modern game.
Kitshoff played close to 70 minutes and Marx played the full match and looked as imposing in the 81st minute as he did in the first. Finally, we got to see the best hooker in world rugby play 80 minutes for the Springboks.
The Boks led four tries to nil and 24-3 on 78 minutes, which was a statement of their dominance throughout.
It was “backs to the wall” stuff. It was a typical Bok performance when written off after successive defeats. But the flair was not typical, yet it was so enjoyable on the eye.
Damian Willemse’s footwork at flyhalf was a delight and he offered a variety in attack that we had not seen from a Bok flyhalf this season.
Eben Etzebeth found a seventh gear in presence while Jasper Wiese charged with the authority of an old bull but with the power of a young one.
Wiese was ferocious but he was also measured in the contact. He has worked to rid his game of imperfection because of impulsive madness in the contact. He is comfortably the first choice Bok No 8 on form.
The very best selectors always talk about picking form over reputation and this was a match in which that philosophy triumphed. Canan Moodie, so good for the Bulls in the URC, played his first Test and looked as comfortable as a bloke playing his 100th. He is a natural on the right wing and a natural in the Boks jersey. He is also just 19 years old.
Old enough is good enough, if in form. Moodie and Deon Fourie (at 35) typified this in Sydney.
This is the type of performance expected from world champions. We know the Boks can do it; now for the consistency in how often they do it.
• Mark Keohane is the founder of keo.co.za, a multiple award-winning sports writer and the digital content director at Highbury Media. Twitter: @mark_keohane
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