🔗 Share this article

Some victories send double significance in the message they broadcast. Amid the flurry of weekend international rugby fixtures, it was Saturday night's outcome in the French capital that will resonate most enduringly across the rugby world. Not merely the conclusion, but also the manner of achievement. To suggest that South Africa demolished various comfortable assumptions would be an oversimplification of the season.

Unexpected Turnaround

Discard the idea, for instance, that France would make amends for the unfairness of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. That entering the final quarter with a slight advantage and an numerical superiority would result in assumed success. That even without their key player their captain, they still had ample resources to contain the powerful opponents at a distance.

On the contrary, it was a case of counting their poulets too early. Initially behind on the scoreboard, the reduced Springboks ended up scoring 19 unanswered points, strengthening their reputation as a team who consistently save their best for the toughest situations. Whereas beating New Zealand 43-10 in earlier this year was a statement, this was definitive evidence that the top-ranked team are cultivating an even thicker skin.

Forward Dominance

Actually, the coach's champion Bok forwards are starting to make everyone else look less committed by comparison. Both northern hemisphere teams both had their promising spells over the recent fixtures but possessed nothing like the same earthmovers that thoroughly overwhelmed France to ruins in the final thirty minutes. A number of talented young home nation players are developing but, by the conclusion, the match was hommes contre garçons.

Perhaps most impressive was the psychological resilience driving it all. Missing their lock forward – given a 38th-minute straight red for a high tackle of the opposition kicker – the South Africans could potentially become disorganized. As it happened they just circled the wagons and set about dragging the deflated boys in blue to what a retired hooker referred to as “the hurt locker.”

Guidance and Example

Post-game, having been carried around the Stade de France on the immense frames of Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman to honor his 100th cap, the South African skipper, the flanker, yet again stressed how many of his squad have been required to overcome personal challenges and how he aspired his side would likewise continue to encourage people.

The ever-sage David Flatman also made an astute observation on television, stating that Erasmus’s record increasingly make him the rugby coaching equivalent of Sir Alex Ferguson. If South Africa succeed in secure another global trophy there will be no doubt whatsoever. Should they come up short, the clever way in which the mentor has rejuvenated a experienced roster has been an object lesson to other teams.

Emerging Talent

Look no further than his 23-year-old fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who sprinted past for the late try that effectively shattered the French windows. Or Grant Williams, another playmaker with explosive speed and an keener ability to spot openings. Naturally it is beneficial to play behind a gargantuan pack, with André Esterhuizen riding shotgun, but the continuing evolution of the Boks from intimidating giants into a squad who can also display finesse and deliver telling blows is extraordinary.

Home Side's Moments

This is not to imply that France were completely dominated, notwithstanding their fading performance. The wing's later touchdown in the right corner was a prime instance. The set-piece strength that tied in the South African pack, the excellent wide ball from the playmaker and the winger's clinical finish into the sideline boards all demonstrated the traits of a side with considerable ability, despite missing Dupont.

But even that ultimately proved insufficient, which truly represents a daunting prospect for competing teams. There is no way, for example, that the Scottish side could have gone 17-0 down to South Africa and come galloping back in the way they did against the All Blacks. And for all the English team's late resurgence, there still exists a gap to close before the England team can be confident of facing the world's top team with all at stake.

Home Nations' Tests

Defeating an Pacific Island team proved tricky enough on match day although the upcoming showdown against the the Kiwis will be the contest that accurately reflects their November Tests. The All Blacks are definitely still beatable, especially missing their key midfielder in their center, but when it comes to capitalizing on opportunities they are still a cut above the majority of the European sides.

Scotland were notably at fault of failing to hammer home the final nails and question marks still hang over England’s optimal back division. It is fine ending matches well – and far superior than succumbing at the death – but their commendable nine-match unbeaten run this year has so far featured only one win over top-drawer opposition, a close result over the French in February.

Next Steps

Thus the weight of this coming Saturday. Interpreting the signals it would appear various alterations are expected in the starting lineup, with key players returning to the lineup. In the pack, similarly, first-choice players should all be back from the start.

Yet context is key, in competition as in life. From now until the next global tournament the {rest