However, the same tour saw Rodber play a vital role in one of England's best away performance of the decade during the 32–15 win in Pretoria on that same tour. "Has one ever seen an England team glisten in a ball-game with such a shimmering and sustained diamond brightness?" purred Frank Keating. "Rodber and his forwards were quite stupendous from first to last." Rodber said the aftermath of the sending off, including limiting his physicality when playing, and possibly preventing his selection as England captain, stayed with him and negatively impacted his play for several years after the tour.