Captain Jean de Villiers chats with Argentina's Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe after The Rugby Championship match in Mendoza on August 25. The hosts secured a 16-all draw, the first time ever they had not lost to the Boks in an international match

Morne Steyn kicks during the third test match against England in PE on June 23. It was a tough year for the Bok flyhalf stalwart, as when his legendary boot started failing the calls for a more exciting replacement became louder. Eventually Meyer dropped him, and in the final match of the year against England he wasn't even on the bench

Pierre Spies spells it out to his scrum during the first test against England at Mr Price Kings Park, Durban, on June 9. It wasn't a good year for the eighthman, as an injury in this test ruled him out for the rest of the season

Heyneke Meyer started his tenure with a series win over England. Players like Eben Etzebeth and Willem Alberts showed they were world class, while old hands like Francois Steyn and JP Pietersen demonstrated they still had plenty to offer with outstanding performances. Pietersen's try at Coca-Cola Park effectively clinched the series for the hosts

The Boks' game plan may have yielded a series win over England, but question marks arose around their kicking game, which was average at best. There were also concerns around their attacking ability with ball in hand, but in the process we saw the return to form of Bryan Habana

Despite losing lots of experience and leadership from the class of 2011, the Springboks found a capable leader in Jean de Villiers, who led this relatively inexperienced group to the series win over the English. Despite a few indifferent performances, the coach stuck by his decision and De Villiers remained captain throughout the year

The Boks started off with a victory in the Rugby Championship, but the road trip was tough as they drew with Argentina before missing opportunities to beat NZ in Dunedin and Australia in Perth. In the meantime, Bryan Habana's excellent form continued and he scored a brilliant try in Dunedin, one that would go on to be voted the IRB Try of the Year

Injuries meant the Springboks had to do without star players Bismarck du Plessis, JP Pietersen and Francois Steyn during the Rugby Championship, but luckily the Springboks had able men to fill their shoes. In this pic, a distraught Bismarck du Plessis is carted off in the first game against Argentina, and went on to miss the rest of the season

Richie McCaw of the All Blacks talks to Bok Bryan Habana after the Rugby Championship match between South Africa and New Zealand at FNB Stadium on October 6. The New Zealanders recorded a famous victory, underlining their dominance of world rugby

The Bok attack had gone backwards on tour, and the form of 'Mr Reliable' Morne Steyn had deserted him. Heyneke Meyer opted to give young Johan Goosen a run in the flyhalf berth, but injury shortened his time in the No 10 jersey. Here Jaco Taute comforts an emotional Goosen after the anthem ahead of his first starting appearance, against Australia in Pretoria

The emergence of Francois Louw as a world-class openside flanker was a real positive, and, along with Bryan Habana, his form was the biggest plus the Boks took out of the Rugby Championship.

Dejected captain Chris Robshaw of England - who made the strange decision not to go for a winning try from a penalty in the dying minutes - looks on as Jean de Villiers celebrates victory at Twickenham Stadium on November 24. It was mission accomplished as the Boks had ended the tour unbeaten. The final Bok analysis for 2012 was P12, W7, D2, L3

The Springboks left SA shores on their year-end tour with only one thing in mind - returning without losing a match. The Springboks faced a very determined Irish team but a good second half performance ensured they won 16-12 and started their tour with a win. Ruan Pienaar (pictured) scored the all-important try.

The match against Scotland saw the likes of Juan de Jongh starting, with Patrick Lambie now the chosen flyhalf for the tour. The Springboks dished out another unsatisfactory performance but they recorded another victory thanks to two tries from hooker Adriaan Strauss