🔗 Share this article

Certain wins deliver double weight in the statement they broadcast. Within the flurry of weekend Test matches, it was Saturday night's score in the French capital that will linger most enduringly across the rugby world. Not merely the end result, but equally the style of success. To claim that South Africa shattered various widely-held beliefs would be an understatement of the calendar.

Surprising Comeback

So much for the theory, for instance, that the French team would make amends for the unfairness of their World Cup last-eight loss. Assuming that going into the final quarter with a small margin and an numerical superiority would translate into certain victory. Even in the absence of their star man Antoine Dupont, they still had sufficient tranquiliser darts to restrain the powerful opponents under control.

On the contrary, it was a case of counting their poulets before time. After being 17-13 down, the South African side with a player sent off finished by registering 19 consecutive points, reinforcing their status as a team who increasingly save their best for the toughest scenarios. While defeating the All Blacks by a large margin in the last quarter was a statement, now came definitive evidence that the leading international squad are building an even thicker skin.

Set-Piece Superiority

In fact, Rassie Erasmus’s title-winning pack are beginning to make everyone else look laissez-faire by contrast. Both northern hemisphere teams each enjoyed their moments over the weekend but lacked entirely the same dominant forwards that thoroughly overwhelmed the French pack to ruins in the final thirty minutes. Some promising young French forwards are emerging but, by the end, the match was hommes contre garçons.

Perhaps most impressive was the psychological resilience underpinning it all. Missing the second-rower – given a dismissal before halftime for a dangerous contact of the opposition kicker – the Boks could easily have faltered. As it happened they merely circled the wagons and set about taking the demoralized French side to what one former French international described as “extreme physical pressure.”

Captaincy and Motivation

Following the match, having been hoisted around the Parisian stadium on the gigantic shoulders of two key forwards to honor his 100th cap, the South African skipper, the flanker, repeatedly stressed how several of his team have been required to overcome off-field adversity and how he hoped his team would similarly continue to inspire others.

The ever-sage a commentator also made an perceptive comment on television, suggesting that his results progressively make him the parallel figure of the legendary football manager. Should the Springboks manage to claim a third straight world title there will be complete assurance. In case they come up short, the intelligent way in which Erasmus has revitalized a experienced squad has been an masterclass to everyone.

New Generation

Look no further than his young playmaker the rising star who sprinted past for the late try that properly blew open the home defense. Or Grant Williams, a second backline player with lightning acceleration and an more acute ability to spot openings. Naturally it is beneficial to play behind a dominant set of forwards, with the inside back providing support, but the steady transformation of the Springboks from scowling heavyweights into a team who can also display finesse and deliver telling blows is hugely impressive.

French Flashes

Which is not to say that France were utterly overwhelmed, despite their weak ending. Damian Penaud’s later touchdown in the right corner was a good illustration. The set-piece strength that tied in the visiting eight, the superb distribution from the full-back and the try-scorer's execution into the sideline boards all exhibited the hallmarks of a team with significant talent, even in the absence of Dupont.

But even that ultimately proved not enough, which truly represents a humbling reality for competing teams. It is inconceivable, for example, that the visitors could have gone 17-0 down to the world champions and come galloping back in the way they did versus New Zealand. And for all the English team's late resurgence, there still exists a gap to close before the national side can be certain of competing with Erasmus’s green-clad giants with high stakes.

European Prospects

Defeating an developing Fijian side was challenging on match day although the upcoming showdown against the All Blacks will be the contest that accurately reflects their November Tests. The visitors are not invincible, particularly without their key midfielder in their backline, but when it comes to capitalizing on opportunities they remain a level above almost all the European sides.

The Thistles were particularly guilty of not finishing off the decisive blows and question marks still surround the red rose's ideal backline blend. It is acceptable performing in the final quarter – and infinitely better than fading in the closing stages – but their notable undefeated streak this year has so far included just a single victory over top-drawer opposition, a close result over France in February.

Looking Ahead

Hence the significance of this upround. Reading between the lines it would seem several changes are anticipated in the starting lineup, with established stars being reinstated to the team. Among the forwards, in the same way, regular starters should return from the beginning.

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