The platform set up by the tight five had Springbok coach Peter de Villiers and national captain John Smit smiling after their team’s 28-19 brilliant Vodacom Tri-Nations victory over the All Blacks at Vodacom Park in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

The Bok pack dominated their opponents, which played a massive part in the way the home team’s victory. The score flattered the All Blacks.

The Boks also had the better of the Kiwi’s at the lineouts, with Victor Matfield and Co. making life very difficult for the visitors, while also setting up a few good rolling mauls.

"Hats off to the tight five," De Villiers said.

"I think the positive approach helped us, we knew we had to create our own chances."

According to Smit, the big boys upfront set up the perfect platform for the Boks.

“It’s alway up to the big boys to set the platform, and we did that,” Smit said after the test.

“The intensity in the rucks and mauls was unbelievable – for us it’s always a special place to be. It was just a great test against the All Blacks.”

Smit also said it was great to have Bakkies Botha back, after the big lock missed the final test of the Castle South Africa Lions Series through suspension. The Bok captain also praised flanker Heinrich Brüssow for his play at the breakdowns and hooker Bismarck du Plessis, who worked well in tandem with Botha in bashing the All Blacks upfront.

“It was great to have Bakkies back, if only because he was behind me in the scrums! I told him, you don’t have to do anything but help me there, but he was phenomenal everywhere,” said Smit.

“Heinrich was great again and has been the find of 2009. It was his 23rd birthday this week, he was Man of the Match, so I’m sure he’ll be pleased. He’s built for that fetching role and is certainly making a difference.

“Bismarck is a really good player, and he showed today what he’s learnt from the three Lions tests, which is encouraging. He played like a tiger and was still disciplined.”