🔗 Share this article

A number of triumphs send dual importance in the lesson they convey. Among the barrage of weekend Test matches, it was the Saturday evening result in Paris that will echo most profoundly across the globe. Not merely the end result, but also the approach of success. To say that South Africa shattered a number of comfortable assumptions would be an oversimplification of the rugby year.

Unexpected Turnaround

Forget about the notion, for example, that the French team would rectify the injustice 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. Despite missing their talisman their scrum-half, they still had sufficient strategies to contain the big beasts safely at bay.

Instead, it was a case of counting their poulets too early. After being trailing by four points, the reduced Springboks finished by registering 19 consecutive points, strengthening their standing as a side who more and more save their best for the most challenging scenarios. Whereas defeating the All Blacks by a large margin in earlier this year was a statement, this was definitive evidence that the world’s No 1 side are developing an even thicker skin.

Set-Piece Superiority

Actually, the coach's champion Bok forwards are starting to make all other teams look laissez-faire by comparison. Scotland and England experienced their moments over the two-day period but possessed nothing like the same earthmovers that effectively reduced the French pack to landfill in the final thirty minutes. Several up-and-coming young French forwards are emerging but, by the conclusion, the encounter was men against boys.

Perhaps most impressive was the mental strength supporting it all. Without the second-rower – shown a dismissal before halftime for a dangerous contact of the opposition kicker – the Springboks could potentially faltered. Instead they simply regrouped and began dragging the demoralized French side to what one former French international called “a place of suffering.”

Guidance and Example

Afterwards, having been carried around the venue on the gigantic shoulders of Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman to mark his 100th cap, the Springbok captain, the inspirational figure, repeatedly emphasized how several of his squad have been needed to overcome personal challenges and how he hoped his squad would in the same way continue to motivate fans.

The perceptive David Flatman also made an shrewd observation on television, stating that his results increasingly make him the rugby coaching equivalent of Sir Alex Ferguson. Should the Springboks do go on to claim a third straight world title there will be absolute certainty. Even if they fall short, the clever way in which Erasmus has refreshed a potentially ageing team has been an masterclass to everyone.

Young Stars

Consider his young playmaker the newcomer who sprinted past for the late try that properly blew open the French windows. Additionally another half-back, a second backline player with lightning acceleration and an keener vision for space. Naturally it helps to have the support of a massive forward unit, with the inside back adding physicality, but the ongoing metamorphosis of the Boks from intimidating giants into a team who can also move with agility and sting like bees is extraordinary.

Home Side's Moments

Which is not to say that the home side were utterly overwhelmed, despite their fading performance. Their winger's second try in the right corner was a clear example. The power up front that engaged the South African pack, the superb distribution from Ramos and the winger's clinical finish into the sideline boards all exhibited the traits of a squad with considerable ability, even in the absence of their star man.

Yet that ultimately proved insufficient, which is a sobering thought for all other nations. There is no way, for example, that the visitors could have gone 17-0 down to South Africa and fought back in the way they did in their fixture. Despite the English team's strong finish, there is a distance to travel before Steve Borthwick’s squad can be confident of standing up to the world's top team with all at stake.

Northern Hemisphere Challenges

Defeating an improving Fiji posed difficulties on match day although the next encounter against the New Zealand will be the contest that truly shapes their November Tests. The visitors are not invincible, particularly without their key midfielder in their midfield, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they remain a step ahead almost all the European sides.

The Scottish team were especially culpable of failing to hammer home the killing points and question marks still surround the English side's ideal backline blend. It is acceptable ending matches well – and much preferable than succumbing at the death – but their notable winning sequence this year has so far included just a single victory over top-drawer opposition, a narrow win over France in earlier in the year.

Future Prospects

Therefore the importance of this next weekend. Analyzing the situation it would appear several changes are likely in the matchday squad, with established stars being reinstated to the team. In the pack, in the same way, first-choice players should all be back from the start.

However everything is relative, in sport as in life. Between now and the upcoming world championship the {rest