🔗 Share this article

A number of triumphs deliver twofold significance in the message they broadcast. Amid the flood of weekend Test matches, it was the Saturday evening result in Paris that will resonate most profoundly across both hemispheres. Not just the conclusion, but the way the style of achievement. To suggest that South Africa demolished various comfortable theories would be an oversimplification of the rugby year.

Surprising Comeback

So much for the notion, for instance, that the French team would avenge the unfairness of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. That entering the last period with a slight advantage and an numerical superiority would result in assumed success. That even without their key player Antoine Dupont, they still had more than enough tranquiliser darts to contain the strong rivals under control.

Instead, it was a case of assuming victory prematurely. After being behind on the scoreboard, the 14-man Boks ended up registering 19 consecutive points, confirming their status as a team who increasingly save their best for the most demanding circumstances. If overpowering New Zealand in Wellington in earlier this year was a statement, here was definitive evidence that the world’s No 1 side are developing an even thicker skin.

Set-Piece Superiority

Actually, Erasmus's title-winning pack are starting to make everyone else look less intense by juxtaposition. Both northern hemisphere teams each enjoyed their periods of promise over the two-day period but did not have the same powerful carriers that thoroughly overwhelmed France to rubble in the closing period. Some promising young French forwards are developing but, by the conclusion, the match was hommes contre garçons.

Perhaps most impressive was the inner fortitude supporting it all. Without their lock forward – shown a 38th-minute straight red for a shoulder to the head of the French full-back – the South Africans could might well have faltered. Instead they simply united and began taking the disheartened home team to what one former French international described as “extreme physical pressure.”

Leadership and Inspiration

Following the match, having been borne aloft around the Stade de France on the immense frames of two key forwards to mark his century of appearances, the Springbok captain, the inspirational figure, repeatedly stressed how a significant number of his players have been required to rise above life difficulties and how he hoped his team would likewise continue to motivate others.

The insightful David Flatman also made an perceptive observation on sports media, proposing that the coach's achievements increasingly make him the rugby coaching equivalent of Sir Alex Ferguson. Should the Springboks succeed in claim a third straight world title there will be absolute certainty. Even if they come up short, the clever way in which the mentor has revitalized a possibly veteran squad has been an object lesson to all.

New Generation

Look no further than his young playmaker the rising star who sprinted past for the late try that effectively shattered the opposition line. Additionally Grant Williams, a second half-back with explosive speed and an even sharper eye for a gap. Of course it is an advantage to operate behind a gargantuan pack, with André Esterhuizen riding shotgun, but the ongoing metamorphosis of the South African team from scowling heavyweights into a squad who can also display finesse and strike decisively is extraordinary.

Glimpses of French Quality

Which is not to say that the home side were utterly overwhelmed, in spite of their limp finish. Damian Penaud’s later touchdown in the wing area was a prime instance. The set-piece strength that occupied the South African pack, the glorious long pass from the full-back and the try-scorer's execution into the perimeter signage all exhibited the characteristics of a squad with significant talent, without Dupont.

Yet that ultimately proved inadequate, which really is a daunting prospect for competing teams. It would be impossible, for example, that Scotland could have trailed heavily to South Africa and fought back in the way they did versus New Zealand. Despite England’s strong finish, there still exists a journey ahead before the national side can be assured of standing up to the South African powerhouses with high stakes.

Northern Hemisphere Challenges

Beating an improving Fiji proved tricky enough on Saturday although the next encounter against the New Zealand will be the fixture that accurately reflects their end-of-year series. New Zealand are definitely still beatable, especially missing Jordie Barrett in their midfield, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they continue to be a level above most the home unions.

The Scottish team were particularly guilty of missing the chance to secure the decisive blows and doubts still apply to the red rose's perfect backline combination. It is acceptable ending matches well – and infinitely better than losing them late on – but their admirable winning sequence this year has so far included just a single victory over world-class sides, a close result over the French in earlier in the year.

Future Prospects

Thus the significance of this coming Saturday. Analyzing the situation it would seem various alterations are likely in the team selection, with key players returning to the lineup. In the pack, similarly, regular starters should return from the beginning.

However perspective matters, in sport as in life. From now until the 2027 World Cup the {rest