While South Africa ended 2021 as the world’s top-ranked team, each of their five losses stuck in the gizzard of Bok fans – vote in the poll below to decide which defeat supporters would most like to reverse.

The world champions enjoyed an excellent return to Test rugby in 2021, after completely sitting out 2020, starting the year with a win over Georgia to warm up the Boks for the series against the British & Irish Lions which the hosts clinched 2-1 after a dramatic, decisive third Test.

In the Rugby Championship, there were back-to-back wins over Argentina and a memorable victory against the All Blacks, while on the UK tour, the Springboks managed to overcome both Wales in Cardiff and Scotland in Edinburgh.

However, as with every campaign, there were a few disappointing losses. The Springboks suffered a 22-17 defeat to the British & Irish Lions in a controversial first Test of the series, while in the Rugby Championship, there were back-to-back losses against Australia followed up by a narrow defeat to New Zealand in the 100th Test between the two teams.

The Springboks also ended the year with a 27-26 loss to England at Twickenham, as Marcus Smith kicked a 79th-minute penalty to give the home side a victory.

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