🔗 Share this article

Certain wins send dual weight in the message they communicate. Amid the flurry of weekend international rugby fixtures, it was Saturday night's score in the French capital that will echo longest across the rugby world. Not only the final score, but equally the manner of victory. To suggest that South Africa demolished a number of widely-held assumptions would be an modest description of the calendar.

Shifting Momentum

So much for the notion, for example, that France would make amends for the unfairness of their World Cup last-eight loss. The belief that entering the last period with a narrow lead and an additional player would result in assumed success. Despite missing their talisman Antoine Dupont, they still had ample resources to restrain the powerful opponents at a distance.

As it turned out, it was a case of counting their poulets before time. Having been 17-13 down, the 14-man Boks finished by racking up 19 points without reply, reinforcing their status as a squad who consistently save their best for the most demanding situations. While overpowering New Zealand in Wellington in the last quarter was a message, now came definitive evidence that the top-ranked team are building an greater resilience.

Pack Power

Actually, Erasmus's title-winning pack are increasingly make opposing sides look laissez-faire by juxtaposition. Both northern hemisphere teams each enjoyed their moments over the weekend but possessed nothing like the same powerful carriers that thoroughly overwhelmed the home side to rubble in the closing period. Several up-and-coming young home nation players are emerging but, by the final whistle, the encounter was a mismatch in experience.

Even more notable was the inner fortitude driving it all. Missing their lock forward – given a dismissal before halftime for a dangerous contact of the opposition kicker – the South Africans could potentially become disorganized. On the contrary they merely united and proceeded to dragging the deflated French side to what one former French international referred to as “the hurt locker.”

Leadership and Inspiration

Following the match, having been hoisted around the venue on the immense frames of two key forwards to mark his hundredth Test, the South African skipper, the inspirational figure, yet again emphasized how many of his squad have been needed to rise above personal challenges and how he hoped his team would likewise continue to inspire fans.

The ever-sage a commentator also made an astute point on sports media, suggesting that the coach's achievements more and more make him the rugby's version of Sir Alex Ferguson. Should the Springboks do go on to win a third successive World Cup there will be complete assurance. Should they fall short, the intelligent way in which the coach has rejuvenated a potentially ageing team has been an exemplary model to other teams.

New Generation

Take for example his emerging number 10 the newcomer who sprinted past for the late try that effectively shattered the home defense. Additionally Grant Williams, another playmaker with explosive speed and an even sharper ability to spot openings. Naturally it helps to play behind a massive forward unit, with the inside back adding physicality, but the continuing evolution of the South African team from physically imposing units into a squad who can also display finesse and strike decisively is remarkable.

French Flashes

Which is not to say that the home side were totally outclassed, in spite of their weak ending. Damian Penaud’s later touchdown in the wing area was a clear example. The power up front that engaged the South African pack, the glorious long pass from the playmaker and the winger's clinical finish into the perimeter signage all displayed the traits of a side with significant talent, despite missing their captain.

Yet that turned out to be insufficient, which really is a sobering thought for competing teams. There is no way, for example, that the visitors could have fallen behind by 17 points to the world champions and mounted a comeback in the way they did in their fixture. Notwithstanding the red rose's strong finish, there is a gap to close before the national side can be assured of standing up to the South African powerhouses with all at stake.

Home Nations' Tests

Overcoming an improving Fiji was challenging on Saturday although the upcoming showdown against the All Blacks will be the match that accurately reflects their end-of-year series. The All Blacks are definitely still beatable, particularly without Jordie Barrett in their center, but when it comes to capitalizing on opportunities they remain a step ahead almost all the northern hemisphere teams.

The Scottish team were particularly guilty of failing to hammer home the decisive blows and doubts still hang over the red rose's optimal back division. It is acceptable ending matches well – and far superior than fading in the closing stages – but their commendable winning sequence this year has so far shown just one success over elite-level teams, a narrow win over France in February.

Next Steps

Therefore the importance of this next weekend. Analyzing the situation it would look like several changes are expected in the team selection, with experienced individuals being reinstated to the side. Up front, in the same way, regular starters should return from the start.

But perspective matters, in sport as in life. In the lead-up to the 2027 World Cup the {rest