Take out of it what you can - a good All Black win, a nice new jersey - but if this is going to happen every four years, then simply axe the Tri-Nations when the World Cup rolls around.
South Africa was a complete rabble on Saturday night, at times looking like a pub team which had come together 10 minutes before kick-off.
A slow snail would have had more enterprise than the Springbok backline, and one wonders why rugby league has never caught on in the republic, given that the smash-it-up style appeared to be the only attacking option from the visiting team.
But it was always going to be like that after the Springboks left 21 of their best players at home.
And somehow that brings some acceptance after they were flogged by 40 points. Imagine if the All Blacks did that.
If Graham Henry decided to tell Carter, McCaw, Nonu and co to put their feet up while some very, very average players took their place, some testing questions would be asked.
Henry may rest some players for the trip to South Africa in a couple of weeks but it is doubtful his key men will miss the flight.
But if he did, and that team went out and got flogged two weeks in a row, resignations would be demanded, sponsors would be asking big questions and talkback lines would be overheating.
In some ways, it shows how far the pride in the Springboks has fallen, or at least the acceptance of the madness of their coach. Or is it just the politics of South African rugby?
The Springboks seem to have adopted a confusing "it's all right to lose now, for in the greater scheme of things it is good" approach.
But look at one of the best sporting sides of the past 30 years - the Australian cricket team - and that theory does not hold water.
Certainly, cricket is not as a physically demanding game as rugby but no-one in that champion team at its peak ever pulled out for a rest.
The side just kept on winning and from that gained the self-confidence which got it out of tight corners.
Momentum is a great asset to have in sport. The Springboks have it but it is in the reverse gear.
And by losing by so much aren't the Springboks putting a whole lot of pressure on those returning players? If they lose any of their forthcoming home tests then their World Cup prospects are going to look decidedly bleak.
As for the All Blacks, the real test is on Saturday against the Wallabies. And they know it.
Let's hope both teams play their best sides and there is none of this secret squirrel-type stuff.
Team selection for the three wise men is going to be tough.
Will Brad Thorn get a run after the impressive comeback of Ali Williams?
Jimmy Cowan appears to have answered the presence of Piri Weepu after a fine running game on Saturday night.
And who is going to start on the outsides? The pressure is really on anyone in that back three to not have a bad game.
But those sort of problems are a pleasure for Henry and his fellow coaches. They appear to have an embarrassment of riches at their disposal.
But then again anyone can look rich against a pauper of a side like the South Africans turned out on Saturday night.
Question: Anyone else sick of hearing about jerseys?
They were designed so sides could be distinguished from each other. They do not contain magical powers and do not make players play markedly better or worse.
Green, canary yellow, black with some white paint around a collar. Just park it up for a moment and take a deep breath: it is a piece of clothing.
Win and win well and no-one will care what you are wearing.
