The two titans of the Japanese club game will play out the next instalment of their trilogy, when Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights take on Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath on the opening day of the season in Japan on Saturday.
In a stiff Wellington southerly the Springboks were smite by the All Blacks after a sublime performance by Dan Carter.
Although the Chiefs managed a tense 19-13 win over the Reds at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton on Friday, many were puzzled by a seemingly baffling TMO decision early in the first half.
Recently, the pilloried French coach Jacques Brunel has given the impression of a child at the controls of a fighter jet – pushing any button and grabbing any lever in the hope it somehow takes off.