🔗 Share this article

Some victories carry twofold importance in the message they broadcast. Within the flurry of weekend international rugby fixtures, it was the Saturday evening result in the French capital that will echo most profoundly across the rugby world. Not just the conclusion, but also the style of victory. To suggest that the Springboks overturned a number of widely-held assumptions would be an modest description of the season.

Shifting Momentum

Discard the idea, for example, that the French team would rectify the injustice of their World Cup elimination. Assuming that going into the last period with a slight advantage and an numerical superiority would result in assumed success. Despite missing their key player their scrum-half, they still had more than enough tranquiliser darts to contain the powerful opponents at a distance.

On the contrary, it was a case of counting their poulets too early. After being behind on the scoreboard, the reduced Springboks ended up scoring 19 unanswered points, reinforcing their reputation as a squad who more and more reserve their top performance for the most demanding situations. While overpowering New Zealand in Wellington in earlier this year was a declaration, now came conclusive proof that the world’s No 1 side are building an even thicker skin.

Forward Dominance

Actually, Erasmus's title-winning pack are increasingly make everyone else look less intense by contrast. Scotland and England experienced their promising spells over the two-day period but possessed nothing like the same powerful carriers that effectively reduced the French pack to landfill in the last half-hour. Some promising young France's pack members are emerging but, by the final whistle, the match was hommes contre garçons.

What was perhaps even more striking was the inner fortitude supporting it all. Without their lock forward – shown a red card in the first half for a dangerous contact of the French full-back – the Springboks could might well have faltered. As it happened they just circled the wagons and began dragging the demoralized French side to what a retired hooker called “extreme physical pressure.”

Leadership and Inspiration

Afterwards, having been hoisted around the Parisian stadium on the immense frames of Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman to celebrate his hundredth Test, the Springbok captain, Siya Kolisi, repeatedly stressed how a significant number of his team have been obliged to overcome off-field adversity and how he hoped his side would in the same way continue to inspire others.

The perceptive David Flatman also made an astute observation on television, suggesting that the coach's achievements progressively make him the rugby's version of Sir Alex Ferguson. If South Africa do go on to win a third successive World Cup there will be no doubt whatsoever. Should they fail to achieve it, the clever way in which Erasmus has rejuvenated a possibly veteran squad has been an masterclass to all.

Emerging Talent

Take for example his emerging number 10 the newcomer who skipped over for the late try that properly blew open the French windows. Or another half-back, another playmaker with blistering pace and an even sharper eye for a gap. Of course it is an advantage to have the support of a gargantuan pack, with André Esterhuizen adding physicality, but the ongoing metamorphosis of the Springboks from physically imposing units into a side who can also move with agility and sting like bees is extraordinary.

Glimpses of French Quality

However, it should not be thought that France were completely dominated, in spite of their weak ending. Their winger's additional score in the right corner was a prime instance. The forward dominance that occupied the visiting eight, the excellent wide ball from the playmaker and the winger's clinical finish into the perimeter signage all exhibited the characteristics of a side with significant talent, despite missing their star man.

Yet that turned out to be inadequate, which is a sobering thought for everybody else. There is no way, for instance, that the Scottish side could have trailed heavily to the Springboks and fought back in the way they did against the All Blacks. And for all England’s last-quarter improvement, there still exists a journey ahead before Steve Borthwick’s squad can be assured of facing the world's top team with high stakes.

Northern Hemisphere Challenges

Beating an Pacific Island team posed difficulties on Saturday although the forthcoming clash against the New Zealand will be the match that truly shapes their end-of-year series. The visitors are certainly vulnerable, particularly without an influential back in their midfield, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they continue to be a step ahead almost all the European sides.

Scotland were particularly guilty of failing to hammer home the killing points and uncertainties still hang over the red rose's ideal backline blend. It is acceptable ending matches well – and infinitely better than succumbing at the death – but their commendable undefeated streak this year has so far featured only one win over top-drawer opposition, a close result over Les Bleus in February.

Future Prospects

Hence the significance of this upround. Interpreting the signals it would look like several changes are expected in the team selection, with established stars coming back to the side. Among the forwards, in the same way, first-choice players should return from the beginning.

But perspective matters, in sport as in life. From now until the upcoming world championship the {rest