🔗 Share this article

Some victories send dual importance in the statement they convey. Amid the barrage of weekend rugby Tests, it was the Saturday evening score in the French capital that will linger most profoundly across both hemispheres. Not just the end result, but also the style of achievement. To suggest that the Springboks demolished a number of established theories would be an understatement of the season.

Unexpected Turnaround

Forget about the notion, for instance, that France would make amends for the disappointment of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. The belief that entering the final quarter with a slight advantage and an numerical superiority would lead to inevitable glory. That even without their talisman their captain, they still had sufficient strategies to contain the big beasts under control.

Instead, it was a case of celebrating too soon before time. After being trailing by four points, the reduced Springboks finished by racking up 19 points without reply, reinforcing their standing as a squad who consistently reserve their top performance for the most challenging circumstances. Whereas overpowering New Zealand in Wellington in earlier this year was a message, here was clear demonstration that the leading international squad are developing an even thicker skin.

Set-Piece Superiority

Actually, Rassie Erasmus’s title-winning pack are beginning to make opposing sides look less intense by comparison. Both northern hemisphere teams each enjoyed their promising spells over the weekend but did not have the same earthmovers that effectively reduced the French pack to landfill in the last half-hour. Several up-and-coming young home nation players are emerging but, by the conclusion, the encounter was men against boys.

What was perhaps even more striking was the inner fortitude supporting it all. Without their lock forward – issued a red card in the first half for a dangerous contact of the opposition kicker – the South Africans could easily have faltered. On the contrary they just regrouped and set about taking the disheartened boys in blue to what a retired hooker called “a place of suffering.”

Guidance and Example

Post-game, having been borne aloft around the Stade de France on the gigantic shoulders of two key forwards to honor his century of appearances, the team leader, Siya Kolisi, once again stressed how several of his team have been obliged to conquer life difficulties and how he hoped his team would in the same way continue to inspire fans.

The perceptive an analyst also made an perceptive observation on broadcast, suggesting that the coach's achievements increasingly make him the parallel figure of the legendary football manager. Should the Springboks do go on to claim a third straight world title there will be absolute certainty. Should they fall short, the clever way in which the coach has rejuvenated a potentially ageing team has been an masterclass to all.

Emerging Talent

Take for example his 23-year-old fly-half the rising star who skipped over for the late try that effectively shattered the French windows. And also another half-back, another half-back with blistering pace and an keener eye for a gap. Naturally it is an advantage to play behind a dominant set of forwards, with André Esterhuizen providing support, but the continuing evolution of the Springboks from scowling heavyweights into a side who can also move with agility and strike decisively is hugely impressive.

Glimpses of French Quality

This is not to imply that France were utterly overwhelmed, in spite of their fading performance. The wing's second try in the far side was a prime instance. The forward dominance that occupied the visiting eight, the glorious long pass from the playmaker and Penaud’s finishing dive into the sideline boards all demonstrated the hallmarks of a squad with considerable ability, even in the absence of Dupont.

But even that ultimately proved not enough, which is a sobering thought for everybody else. There is no way, for example, that the visitors could have trailed heavily to the Springboks and mounted a comeback in the way they did against the All Blacks. Despite England’s late resurgence, there still exists a journey ahead before Steve Borthwick’s squad can be confident of standing up to the South African powerhouses with high stakes.

European Prospects

Defeating an improving Fiji was challenging on match day although the upcoming showdown against the All Blacks will be the match that truly shapes their end-of-year series. The visitors are definitely still beatable, notably absent an influential back in their midfield, but when it comes to taking their chances they are still a cut above almost all the home unions.

Scotland were particularly guilty of not finishing off the decisive blows and doubts still surround the red rose's optimal back division. It is acceptable ending matches well – and infinitely better than succumbing at the death – but their commendable winning sequence this year has so far featured only one win over top-drawer opposition, a narrow win over France in earlier in the year.

Looking Ahead

Therefore the significance of this next weekend. Interpreting the signals it would seem various alterations are expected in the team selection, with experienced individuals being reinstated to the lineup. Up front, in the same way, regular starters should all be back from the start.

However perspective matters, in competition as in reality. Between now and the 2027 World Cup the {rest