🔗 Share this article

A number of triumphs deliver twofold weight in the lesson they broadcast. Among the flurry of weekend rugby Tests, it was Saturday night's result in the French capital that will echo most profoundly across both hemispheres. Not only the end result, but also the approach of achievement. To claim that South Africa overturned a number of comfortable assumptions would be an modest description of the calendar.

Unexpected Turnaround

So much for the theory, for example, that France would make amends for the injustice of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. The belief that entering the closing stages with a slight advantage and an extra man would result in certain victory. That even without their star man Antoine Dupont, they still had ample strategies to contain the big beasts under control.

On the contrary, it was a case of celebrating too soon too early. Having been trailing by four points, the South African side with a player sent off finished by registering 19 consecutive points, strengthening their standing as a side who more and more reserve their top performance for the most demanding scenarios. While overpowering New Zealand in Wellington in the last quarter was a statement, now came conclusive proof that the world’s No 1 side are building an even thicker skin.

Forward Dominance

In fact, Erasmus's title-winning pack are starting to make all other teams look less intense by comparison. The Scottish and English sides each enjoyed their moments over the two-day period but possessed nothing like the same dominant forwards that systematically dismantled the home side to landfill in the last half-hour. Some promising young France's pack members are coming through but, by the final whistle, the match was a mismatch in experience.

What was perhaps even more striking was the inner fortitude driving it all. Without Lood de Jager – given a red card in the first half for a high tackle of the opposition kicker – the Springboks could potentially faltered. On the contrary they just united and began taking the demoralized French side to what a retired hooker called “the hurt locker.”

Captaincy and Motivation

Post-game, having been borne aloft around the venue on the immense frames of Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman to mark his 100th cap, the South African skipper, the flanker, yet again emphasized how a significant number of his players have been obliged to rise above life difficulties and how he hoped his side would in the same way continue to inspire people.

The insightful David Flatman also made an shrewd point on sports media, suggesting that Erasmus’s record more and more make him the rugby's version of Sir Alex Ferguson. If South Africa manage to secure another global trophy there will be complete assurance. Should they come up short, the intelligent way in which the coach has refreshed a experienced squad has been an object lesson to all.

New Generation

Look no further than his 23-year-old fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who darted through for the decisive touchdown that decisively broke the home defense. And also the scrum-half, another playmaker with explosive speed and an more acute ability to spot openings. Of course it helps to play behind a gargantuan pack, with the powerful center adding physicality, but the continuing evolution of the Boks from intimidating giants into a squad who can also move with agility and strike decisively is extraordinary.

Home Side's Moments

Which is not to say that the home side were totally outclassed, notwithstanding their fading performance. Their winger's second try in the wing area was a prime instance. The set-piece strength that tied in the visiting eight, the superb distribution from the full-back and the winger's clinical finish into the perimeter signage all demonstrated the traits of a team with significant talent, without their captain.

However, that ultimately proved inadequate, which is a sobering thought for everybody else. There is no way, for instance, that the Scottish side could have trailed heavily to South Africa and mounted a comeback in the way they did in their fixture. And for all the red rose's late resurgence, there remains a journey ahead before Steve Borthwick’s squad can be confident of competing with Erasmus’s green-clad giants with all at stake.

Home Nations' Tests

Overcoming an Pacific Island team was challenging on match day although the upcoming showdown against the All Blacks will be the match that truly shapes their November Tests. The All Blacks are certainly vulnerable, particularly without an influential back in their midfield, but when it comes to capitalizing on opportunities they continue to be a level above almost all the home unions.

The Thistles were particularly guilty of failing to hammer home the final nails and doubts still apply to the English side's optimal back division. It is all very well finishing games strongly – and far superior than losing them late on – but their admirable winning sequence this year has so far included just a single victory over top-drawer opposition, a close result over Les Bleus in earlier in the year.

Future Prospects

Thus the weight of this coming Saturday. Reading between the lines it would appear various alterations are likely in the team selection, with key players being reinstated to the team. Among the forwards, in the same way, regular starters should be included from the start.

But context is key, in rugby as in reality. Between now and the 2027 World Cup the {rest