🔗 Share this article

Certain wins send twofold importance in the lesson they broadcast. Among the flood of weekend rugby Tests, it was the Saturday evening result in Paris that will echo most enduringly across the rugby world. Not only the conclusion, but also the style of victory. To suggest that the Springboks shattered various comfortable beliefs would be an understatement of the calendar.

Surprising Comeback

Forget about the idea, for example, that France would make amends for the unfairness of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. The belief that entering the final quarter with a narrow lead and an additional player would translate into certain victory. That even without their star man their captain, they still had ample tranquiliser darts to keep the strong rivals safely at bay.

As it turned out, it was a case of counting their poulets too early. After being behind on the scoreboard, the 14-man Boks concluded with registering 19 consecutive points, confirming their reputation as a team who increasingly reserve their top performance for the toughest circumstances. Whereas defeating the All Blacks by a large margin in September was a message, here was definitive evidence that the top-ranked team are building an greater resilience.

Set-Piece Superiority

In fact, the coach's experienced front eight are starting to make everyone else look laissez-faire by juxtaposition. Both northern hemisphere teams each enjoyed their moments over the recent fixtures but possessed nothing like the same powerful carriers that effectively reduced the French pack to rubble in the last half-hour. A number of talented young French forwards are developing but, by the conclusion, the match was a mismatch in experience.

Even more notable was the inner fortitude driving it all. In the absence of the second-rower – shown a dismissal before halftime for a shoulder to the head of the opposition kicker – the Springboks could might well have become disorganized. On the contrary they merely circled the wagons and proceeded to dragging the demoralized French side to what one former French international referred to as “the hurt locker.”

Captaincy and Motivation

Following the match, having been borne aloft around the Parisian stadium on the immense frames of the lock pairing to mark his century of appearances, the team leader, the flanker, repeatedly highlighted how many of his players have been obliged to overcome off-field adversity and how he aspired his team would in the same way continue to inspire others.

The ever-sage a commentator also made an astute point on sports media, suggesting that Erasmus’s record increasingly make him the parallel figure of the legendary football manager. Should the Springboks succeed in win a third successive World Cup there will be no doubt whatsoever. Should they come up short, the clever way in which Erasmus has revitalized a experienced team has been an exemplary model to everyone.

Young Stars

Look no further than his 23-year-old fly-half the newcomer who skipped over for the closing score that decisively broke the French windows. Or Grant Williams, a further backline player with explosive speed and an more acute vision for space. Undoubtedly it helps to have the support of a massive forward unit, with the powerful center providing support, but the steady transformation of the South African team from intimidating giants into a team who can also move with agility and deliver telling blows is hugely impressive.

Home Side's Moments

Which is not to say that the French team were utterly overwhelmed, in spite of their weak ending. Their winger's later touchdown in the right corner was a prime instance. The set-piece strength that tied in the Bok forwards, the superb distribution from Ramos and the winger's clinical finish into the sideline boards all demonstrated the traits of a side with significant talent, despite missing their star man.

However, that in the end was not enough, which is a sobering thought for all other nations. It is inconceivable, for instance, that Scotland could have trailed heavily to South Africa and fought back in the way they did against the All Blacks. Notwithstanding England’s late resurgence, there is a journey ahead before the England team can be assured of competing with the world's top team with high stakes.

European Prospects

Defeating an Pacific Island team posed difficulties on match day although the upcoming showdown against the All Blacks will be the match that accurately reflects their end-of-year series. The visitors are not invincible, particularly without an influential back in their midfield, but when it comes to taking their chances they continue to be a cut above the majority of the European sides.

Scotland were particularly guilty of missing the chance to secure the final nails and question marks still surround the red rose's optimal back division. It is fine finishing games strongly – and far superior than losing them late on – but their notable nine-match unbeaten run this year has so far shown just one success over world-class sides, a one-point home victory over the French in February.

Future Prospects

Thus the importance of this next weekend. Interpreting the signals it would seem a number of adjustments are likely in the matchday squad, with key players being reinstated to the lineup. Up front, similarly, regular starters should all be back from the beginning.

Yet everything is relative, in rugby as in reality. From now until the upcoming world championship the {rest