🔗 Share this article

Some victories carry double importance in the message they convey. Among the barrage of weekend Test matches, it was the Saturday evening outcome in Paris that will echo most profoundly across both hemispheres. Not only the final score, but equally the approach of victory. To claim that the Springboks overturned various comfortable theories would be an understatement of the calendar.

Surprising Comeback

So much for the theory, for instance, that France would make amends for the injustice of their World Cup elimination. The belief that entering the final quarter with a small margin and an extra man would result in inevitable glory. Even in the absence of their key player their scrum-half, they still had more than enough tranquiliser darts to restrain the powerful opponents under control.

On the contrary, it was a case of counting their poulets before time. After being behind on the scoreboard, the 14-man Boks ended up scoring 19 unanswered points, confirming their standing as a team who consistently reserve their top performance for the most demanding scenarios. If defeating the All Blacks by a large margin in September was a message, here was clear demonstration that the top-ranked team are cultivating an more robust mentality.

Forward Dominance

In fact, Erasmus's title-winning pack are increasingly make all other teams look laissez-faire by contrast. Scotland and England both had their periods of promise over the two-day period but possessed nothing like the same dominant forwards that systematically dismantled the home side to rubble in the closing period. Some promising young French forwards are developing but, by the final whistle, the encounter was hommes contre garçons.

What was perhaps even more striking was the mental strength driving it all. In the absence of the second-rower – given a dismissal before halftime for a shoulder to the head of Thomas Ramos – the Boks could potentially lost their composure. Instead they simply circled the wagons and began pulling the demoralized French side to what an ex-France player referred to as “the hurt locker.”

Captaincy and Motivation

Afterwards, having been borne aloft around the Stade de France on the gigantic shoulders of the lock pairing to mark his century of appearances, the South African skipper, Siya Kolisi, repeatedly emphasized how several of his team have been obliged to overcome personal challenges and how he aspired his squad would in the same way continue to inspire people.

The insightful a commentator also made an astute comment on sports media, stating that the coach's achievements increasingly make him the rugby coaching equivalent of Sir Alex Ferguson. Should the Springboks succeed in secure another global trophy there will be no doubt whatsoever. Should they come up short, the smart way in which the mentor has refreshed a potentially ageing squad has been an object lesson to other teams.

New Generation

Consider his 23-year-old fly-half the rising star who sprinted past for the late try that effectively shattered the home defense. And also Grant Williams, a second playmaker with blistering pace and an more acute eye for a gap. Undoubtedly it is an advantage to have the support of a dominant set of forwards, with André Esterhuizen adding physicality, but the steady transformation of the South African team from intimidating giants into a team who can also float like butterflies and deliver telling blows is remarkable.

Glimpses of French Quality

Which is not to say that the French team were completely dominated, notwithstanding their fading performance. The wing's second try in the wing area was a clear example. The forward dominance that tied in the visiting eight, the glorious long pass from Ramos and Penaud’s finishing dive into the sideline boards all demonstrated the hallmarks of a squad with notable skill, without Dupont.

Yet that ultimately proved inadequate, which truly represents a humbling reality for everybody else. It would be impossible, for instance, that Scotland could have trailed heavily to the world champions and come galloping back in the way they did versus New Zealand. Notwithstanding the red rose's strong finish, there remains a gap to close before the national side can be assured of standing up to Erasmus’s green-clad giants with all at stake.

Home Nations' Tests

Beating an Pacific Island team was challenging on the weekend although the forthcoming clash against the All Blacks will be the fixture that accurately reflects their end-of-year series. The visitors are not invincible, especially missing their key midfielder in their midfield, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they continue to be a step ahead most the home unions.

The Thistles were particularly guilty of not finishing off the killing points and question marks still apply to England’s ideal backline blend. It is acceptable ending matches well – and far superior than losing them late on – but their admirable nine-match unbeaten run this year has so far included just a single victory over world-class sides, a narrow win over France in February.

Next Steps

Hence the weight of this upround. Interpreting the signals it would seem various alterations are expected in the starting lineup, with established stars coming back to the team. In the pack, in the same way, first-choice players should return from the beginning.

But context is key, in sport as in existence. Between now and the next global tournament the {rest