🔗 Share this article

A number of triumphs carry twofold significance in the lesson they convey. Within the flood of weekend international rugby fixtures, it was the Saturday evening outcome in the French capital that will linger most profoundly across the rugby world. Not merely the final score, but also the approach of achievement. To say that the Springboks demolished several widely-held beliefs would be an oversimplification of the season.

Surprising Comeback

Discard the theory, for example, that France would rectify 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 lead to certain victory. That even without their star man their scrum-half, they still had ample tranquiliser darts to contain the big beasts safely at bay.

Instead, it was a case of assuming victory prematurely. After being behind on the scoreboard, the South African side with a player sent off ended up scoring 19 unanswered points, confirming their status as a team who increasingly reserve their top performance for the most demanding situations. While defeating the All Blacks by a large margin in the last quarter was a statement, now came conclusive proof that the leading international squad are developing an greater resilience.

Set-Piece Superiority

Actually, Erasmus's experienced front eight are increasingly make all other teams look less intense by comparison. The Scottish and English sides experienced their moments over the weekend but did not have the same earthmovers that effectively reduced France to rubble in the closing period. Some promising young French forwards are developing but, by the conclusion, the match was a mismatch in experience.

What was perhaps even more striking was the mental strength driving it all. Without the second-rower – issued a dismissal before halftime for a high tackle of the French full-back – the Boks could easily have faltered. On the contrary they simply regrouped and set about pulling the demoralized boys in blue to what an ex-France player called “the hurt locker.”

Captaincy and Motivation

Post-game, having been borne aloft around the venue on the immense frames of two key forwards to celebrate his 100th cap, the team leader, the flanker, repeatedly emphasized how several of his players have been needed to overcome personal challenges and how he hoped his team would in the same way continue to motivate others.

The insightful a commentator also made an astute observation on sports media, stating that the coach's achievements increasingly make him the rugby coaching equivalent of the legendary football manager. Should the Springboks succeed in win a third successive World Cup there will be absolute certainty. Should they come up short, the clever way in which Erasmus has rejuvenated a possibly veteran team has been an masterclass to other teams.

Young Stars

Consider his 23-year-old fly-half the newcomer who skipped over for the late try that decisively broke the French windows. Or the scrum-half, a further playmaker with lightning acceleration and an keener ability to spot openings. Naturally it helps to play behind a gargantuan pack, with the powerful center riding shotgun, but the steady transformation of the Springboks from intimidating giants into a side who can also display finesse and sting like bees is extraordinary.

Glimpses of French Quality

However, it should not be thought that the home side were completely dominated, in spite of their fading performance. The wing's second try in the far side was a clear example. The set-piece strength that occupied the visiting eight, the glorious long pass from Ramos and Penaud’s finishing dive into the perimeter signage all exhibited the characteristics of a squad with significant talent, even in the absence of their star man.

But even that turned out to be inadequate, which is a sobering thought for competing teams. It is inconceivable, for instance, that the visitors could have trailed heavily to South Africa and mounted a comeback in the way they did in their fixture. Notwithstanding England’s strong finish, there remains a distance to travel before the national side can be confident of facing the world's top team with all at stake.

Home Nations' Tests

Defeating an developing Fijian side proved tricky enough on the weekend although the next encounter against the New Zealand will be the contest that accurately reflects their autumn. The All Blacks are certainly vulnerable, especially missing their key midfielder in their midfield, but when it comes to taking their chances they are still a step ahead the majority of the European sides.

The Scottish team were especially culpable of not finishing off the killing points and uncertainties still hang over the English side's perfect backline combination. It is all very well finishing games strongly – and much preferable than losing them late on – but their admirable undefeated streak this year has so far included just a single victory over elite-level teams, a one-point home victory over the French in the winter.

Looking Ahead

Hence the importance of this next weekend. Reading between the lines it would appear several changes are likely in the starting lineup, with established stars returning to the lineup. In the pack, likewise, regular starters should be included from the outset.

But context is key, in competition as in reality. From now until the next global tournament the {rest