🔗 Share this article

Some victories deliver double importance in the message they communicate. Within the barrage of weekend rugby Tests, it was Saturday night's result in the French capital that will echo most profoundly across the rugby world. Not only the final score, but the way the manner of achievement. To claim that South Africa shattered a number of comfortable theories would be an understatement of the season.

Unexpected Turnaround

So much for the idea, for example, that the French team would rectify the unfairness of their World Cup last-eight loss. Assuming that going into the last period with a narrow lead and an extra man would result in assumed success. Despite missing their key player Antoine Dupont, they still had more than enough tranquiliser darts to contain the powerful opponents at a distance.

On the contrary, it was a case of assuming victory prematurely. Initially behind on the scoreboard, the reduced Springboks concluded with racking up 19 points without reply, reinforcing their reputation as a team who consistently deliver their finest rugby for the most demanding circumstances. While overpowering New Zealand in Wellington in the last quarter was a declaration, here was conclusive proof that the leading international squad are building an more robust mentality.

Set-Piece Superiority

In fact, the coach's title-winning pack are starting to make opposing sides look laissez-faire by contrast. The Scottish and English sides experienced their moments over the weekend but possessed nothing like the same dominant forwards that systematically dismantled France to rubble in the last half-hour. Several up-and-coming young home nation players are emerging but, by the end, Saturday night was men against boys.

What was perhaps even more striking was the psychological resilience underpinning it all. Missing Lood de Jager – issued a dismissal before halftime for a dangerous contact of the opposition kicker – the Springboks could might well have faltered. As it happened they simply regrouped and set about dragging the deflated home team to what a retired hooker called “a place of suffering.”

Guidance and Example

Following the match, having been carried around the Parisian stadium on the gigantic shoulders of two key forwards to mark his hundredth Test, the South African skipper, the flanker, repeatedly stressed how several of his players have been obliged to overcome life difficulties and how he aspired his team would similarly continue to inspire fans.

The perceptive David Flatman also made an perceptive comment on sports media, suggesting that Erasmus’s record more and more make him the parallel figure of the legendary football manager. In the event that the world champions do go on to secure another global trophy there will be absolute certainty. In case they come up short, the intelligent way in which Erasmus has revitalized a potentially ageing team has been an object lesson to all.

New Generation

Look no further than his young playmaker Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who skipped over for the closing score that properly blew open the opposition line. Additionally Grant Williams, a further half-back with blistering pace and an more acute eye for a gap. Undoubtedly it is an advantage to operate behind a dominant set of forwards, with the powerful center adding physicality, but the continuing evolution of the South African team from scowling heavyweights into a team who can also move with agility and deliver telling blows is extraordinary.

Glimpses of French Quality

Which is not to say that the French team were completely dominated, in spite of their weak ending. The wing's additional score in the far side was a clear example. 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 advertising hoardings all displayed the traits of a side with notable skill, even in the absence of their star man.

But even that turned out to be insufficient, which is a daunting prospect for everybody else. It is inconceivable, for instance, that the visitors could have fallen behind by 17 points to the Springboks and come galloping back in the way they did against the All Blacks. And for all the red rose's late resurgence, there is a gap to close before the national side can be assured of standing up to the South African powerhouses with high stakes.

European Prospects

Overcoming an Pacific Island team posed difficulties on Saturday although the next encounter against the the Kiwis will be the fixture that accurately reflects their autumn. The All Blacks are certainly vulnerable, notably absent Jordie Barrett in their midfield, but when it comes to capitalizing on opportunities they continue to be a level above the majority of the northern hemisphere teams.

The Scottish team were notably at fault of not finishing off the killing points and doubts still apply to the red rose's perfect backline combination. It is fine performing in the final quarter – and infinitely better than losing them late on – but their commendable nine-match unbeaten run this year has so far included just a single victory over world-class sides, a close result over Les Bleus in February.

Looking Ahead

Therefore the importance of this next weekend. Reading between the lines it would look like a number of adjustments are anticipated in the matchday squad, with key players being reinstated to the lineup. Among the forwards, similarly, familiar faces should all be back from the outset.

But perspective matters, in sport as in existence. From now until the upcoming world championship the {rest