🔗 Share this article

Certain wins carry dual weight in the lesson they communicate. Among the barrage of weekend international rugby fixtures, it was the Saturday evening outcome in Paris that will resonate most profoundly across the globe. Not just the end result, but the way the style of achievement. To claim that South Africa overturned various widely-held assumptions would be an oversimplification of the rugby year.

Unexpected Turnaround

Forget about the theory, for instance, that the French team would avenge the injustice of their World Cup last-eight loss. The belief that entering the last period with a narrow lead and an numerical superiority would result in inevitable glory. Even in the absence of their talisman their captain, they still had sufficient tranquiliser darts to contain the strong rivals safely at bay.

On the contrary, it was a case of celebrating too soon before time. Initially trailing by four points, the 14-man Boks concluded with scoring 19 unanswered points, confirming their reputation as a squad who consistently deliver their finest rugby for the toughest situations. While beating New Zealand 43-10 in September was a message, this was definitive evidence that the leading international squad are building an even thicker skin.

Pack Power

In fact, Rassie Erasmus’s title-winning pack are beginning to make all other teams look laissez-faire by contrast. Both northern hemisphere teams each enjoyed their moments over the weekend but lacked entirely the same powerful carriers that systematically dismantled the French pack to landfill in the final thirty minutes. A number of talented young home nation players are coming through but, by the conclusion, the match was hommes contre garçons.

Even more notable was the inner fortitude underpinning it all. Without Lood de Jager – shown a red card in the first half for a high tackle of the French full-back – the South Africans could easily have become disorganized. On the contrary they simply united and proceeded to dragging the deflated home team to what one former French international described as “the hurt locker.”

Guidance and Example

Afterwards, having been hoisted around the Stade de France on the immense frames of two key forwards to honor his hundredth Test, the team leader, the flanker, repeatedly stressed how a significant number of his players have been obliged to conquer life difficulties and how he hoped his squad would in the same way continue to inspire people.

The perceptive David Flatman also made an astute comment on broadcast, proposing that his results more and more make him the rugby coaching equivalent of the Manchester United great. Should the Springboks manage to win a third successive World Cup there will be no doubt whatsoever. Should they fail to achieve it, the intelligent way in which Erasmus has revitalized a potentially ageing team has been an object lesson to other teams.

New Generation

Consider his emerging number 10 the rising star who skipped over for the decisive touchdown that decisively broke the French windows. Additionally another half-back, a second half-back with blistering pace and an keener vision for space. Undoubtedly it is an advantage to operate behind a dominant set of forwards, with the inside back riding shotgun, but the continuing evolution of the Boks from intimidating giants into a side who can also float like butterflies and deliver telling blows is hugely impressive.

French Flashes

However, it should not be thought that the home side were totally outclassed, despite their fading performance. Their winger's second try in the far side was a good illustration. The power up front that engaged the visiting eight, the glorious long pass from Ramos and the winger's clinical finish into the sideline boards all displayed the traits of a team with significant talent, even in the absence of their star man.

However, that in the end was inadequate, which is a daunting prospect for all other nations. It is inconceivable, for example, that the visitors could have gone 17-0 down to the world champions and fought back in the way they did versus New Zealand. Despite England’s late resurgence, there remains a gap to close before Steve Borthwick’s squad can be certain of facing Erasmus’s green-clad giants with high stakes.

Home Nations' Tests

Defeating an developing Fijian side was challenging on match day although the forthcoming clash against the the Kiwis will be the fixture that truly shapes their November Tests. The All Blacks are definitely still beatable, notably absent an influential back in their center, but when it comes to taking their chances they continue to be a level above most the home unions.

The Thistles were especially culpable of not finishing off the killing points and doubts still apply to England’s perfect backline combination. It is fine performing in the final quarter – and far superior than fading in the closing stages – but their admirable nine-match unbeaten run this year has so far shown just one success over elite-level teams, a one-point home victory over the French in February.

Looking Ahead

Thus the weight of this upround. Reading between the lines it would appear various alterations are expected in the matchday squad, with key players coming back to the side. Up front, likewise, familiar faces should be included from the outset.

Yet perspective matters, in sport as in existence. Between now and the next global tournament the {rest