🔗 Share this article

Some victories deliver dual significance in the message they convey. Amid the barrage of weekend Test matches, it was Saturday night's score in Paris that will echo longest across both hemispheres. Not merely the end result, but the way the style of victory. To claim that the Springboks overturned various widely-held beliefs would be an oversimplification of the calendar.

Surprising Comeback

So much for the idea, for instance, that France would rectify the unfairness of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. That entering the last period with a narrow lead and an extra man would translate into certain victory. Even in the absence of their talisman their captain, they still had sufficient resources to restrain the big beasts at a distance.

As it turned out, it was a case of assuming victory prematurely. Having been behind on the scoreboard, the 14-man Boks concluded with registering 19 consecutive points, confirming their status as a side who more and more reserve their top performance for the most challenging situations. Whereas overpowering New Zealand in Wellington in earlier this year was a message, now came clear demonstration that the leading international squad are developing an even thicker skin.

Set-Piece Superiority

Actually, the coach's champion Bok forwards are increasingly make everyone else look laissez-faire by contrast. 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 effectively reduced France to rubble in the last half-hour. A number of talented young home nation players are developing but, by the conclusion, Saturday night was hommes contre garçons.

Perhaps most impressive was the inner fortitude driving it all. Without the second-rower – shown a red card in the first half for a shoulder to the head of Thomas Ramos – the South Africans could easily have lost their composure. Instead they merely united and proceeded to taking the disheartened home team to what a retired hooker described as “extreme physical pressure.”

Guidance and Example

Following the match, having been hoisted around the Parisian stadium on the gigantic shoulders of the lock pairing to honor his hundredth Test, the Springbok captain, Siya Kolisi, repeatedly stressed how a significant number of his team have been needed to conquer life difficulties and how he hoped his squad would in the same way continue to inspire people.

The perceptive a commentator also made an astute point on sports media, proposing that his results increasingly make him the rugby coaching equivalent of Sir Alex Ferguson. In the event that the world champions succeed in secure another global trophy there will be absolute certainty. In case they come up short, the smart way in which the coach has refreshed a possibly veteran team has been an masterclass to other teams.

Young Stars

Consider his 23-year-old fly-half the newcomer who darted through for the decisive touchdown that decisively broke the opposition line. Additionally another half-back, a further half-back with blistering pace and an more acute eye for a gap. Naturally it is beneficial to play behind a massive forward unit, with André Esterhuizen adding physicality, but the continuing evolution of the South African team from physically imposing units into a team who can also float like butterflies and deliver telling blows is remarkable.

Home Side's Moments

Which is not to say that the French team were utterly overwhelmed, despite their weak ending. Damian Penaud’s second try in the far side was a good illustration. The set-piece strength that tied in the Bok forwards, the glorious long pass from the playmaker and the winger's clinical finish into the advertising hoardings all demonstrated the characteristics of a team with notable skill, despite missing their captain.

But even that in the end was inadequate, which is a sobering thought for everybody else. It is inconceivable, for instance, that the Scottish side could have trailed heavily to South Africa and mounted a comeback in the way they did against the All Blacks. Despite the English team's late resurgence, there still exists a journey ahead before the England team can be assured of standing up to Erasmus’s green-clad giants with everything on the line.

Northern Hemisphere Challenges

Beating an improving Fiji posed difficulties on Saturday although the forthcoming clash against the the Kiwis will be the fixture that accurately reflects their end-of-year series. New Zealand are certainly vulnerable, especially missing Jordie Barrett in their backline, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they remain a cut above the majority of the home unions.

The Thistles were especially culpable of missing the chance to secure the final nails and uncertainties still surround England’s ideal backline blend. It is acceptable finishing games strongly – and much preferable than succumbing at the death – but their admirable undefeated streak this year has so far included just a single victory over world-class sides, a close result over the French in the winter.

Future Prospects

Therefore the significance of this coming Saturday. Reading between the lines it would seem several changes are anticipated in the team selection, with established stars being reinstated to the lineup. Up front, in the same way, first-choice players should be included from the beginning.

But everything is relative, in rugby as in life. From now until the upcoming world championship the {rest