🔗 Share this article

Certain wins send dual importance in the lesson they communicate. Among the flood of weekend rugby Tests, it was Saturday night's outcome in the French capital that will linger most enduringly across the rugby world. Not just the end result, but also the style of success. To say that the Springboks demolished a number of widely-held beliefs would be an understatement of the calendar.

Shifting Momentum

So much for the notion, for instance, that the French team would avenge the injustice of their World Cup elimination. Assuming that going into the final quarter with a small margin and an numerical superiority would translate into inevitable glory. That even without their talisman their captain, they still had more than enough strategies to keep the big beasts at a distance.

On the contrary, it was a case of celebrating too soon before time. Having been 17-13 down, the 14-man Boks concluded with registering 19 consecutive points, reinforcing their status as a team who increasingly save their best for the toughest circumstances. Whereas overpowering New Zealand in Wellington in earlier this year was a message, now came conclusive proof that the leading international squad are developing an greater resilience.

Pack Power

Actually, Erasmus's experienced front eight are starting to make opposing sides look laissez-faire by comparison. The Scottish and English sides both had their periods of promise over the two-day period but did not have the same powerful carriers that thoroughly overwhelmed the French pack to rubble in the closing period. Several up-and-coming young French forwards are emerging but, by the final whistle, the match was a mismatch in experience.

Perhaps most impressive was the psychological resilience underpinning it all. In the absence of their lock forward – shown a red card in the first half for a high tackle of the French full-back – the Boks could might well have faltered. Instead they merely regrouped and set about taking the disheartened home team to what a retired hooker called “extreme physical pressure.”

Leadership and Inspiration

Following the match, having been carried around the Parisian stadium on the powerful backs of Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman to honor his 100th cap, the South African skipper, the inspirational figure, once again highlighted how a significant number of his squad have been required to overcome off-field adversity and how he hoped his side would similarly continue to inspire people.

The ever-sage an analyst also made an perceptive observation on sports media, proposing that Erasmus’s record progressively make him the parallel figure of Sir Alex Ferguson. Should the Springboks do go on to secure another global trophy there will be complete assurance. In case they fall short, the smart way in which the coach has refreshed a possibly veteran roster has been an exemplary model to everyone.

Young Stars

Look no further than his 23-year-old fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who darted through for the late try that decisively broke the opposition line. And also the scrum-half, another half-back with blistering pace and an even sharper eye for a gap. Naturally it is an advantage to have the support of a dominant set of forwards, with the inside back adding physicality, but the steady transformation of the Springboks from scowling heavyweights into a team who can also move with agility and deliver telling blows is extraordinary.

Home Side's Moments

This is not to imply that France were totally outclassed, notwithstanding their fading performance. The wing's second try in the right corner was a good illustration. The forward dominance that tied in the Bok forwards, the excellent wide ball from Ramos and Penaud’s finishing dive into the advertising hoardings all exhibited the characteristics of a team with considerable ability, despite missing their star man.

Yet that in the end was not enough, which truly represents a humbling reality for all other nations. There is no way, for instance, that the visitors could have gone 17-0 down to the world champions and fought back in the way they did versus New Zealand. Despite the red rose's last-quarter improvement, there is a journey ahead before the national side can be assured of competing with Erasmus’s green-clad giants with everything on the line.

Home Nations' Tests

Defeating an improving Fiji proved tricky enough on Saturday although the forthcoming clash against the New Zealand will be the fixture that truly shapes their November Tests. New Zealand are not invincible, notably absent Jordie Barrett in their midfield, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they are still a step ahead most the northern hemisphere teams.

Scotland were particularly guilty of failing to hammer home the killing points and doubts still hang over the red rose's ideal backline blend. It is acceptable ending matches well – and much preferable than succumbing at the death – but their commendable nine-match unbeaten run this year has so far included just a single victory over world-class sides, a close result over France in earlier in the year.

Future Prospects

Therefore the importance of this upround. Analyzing the situation it would look like various alterations are expected in the matchday squad, with established stars coming back to the lineup. Among the forwards, similarly, familiar faces should all be back from the beginning.

However perspective matters, in competition as in existence. From now until the next global tournament the {rest