🔗 Share this article

Certain wins carry double importance in the message they broadcast. Among the flurry of weekend rugby Tests, it was Saturday night's result in the French capital that will echo longest across both hemispheres. Not only the final score, but equally the manner of success. To claim that South Africa demolished a number of widely-held assumptions would be an oversimplification of the season.

Surprising Comeback

So much for the idea, for example, that the French team would rectify the disappointment of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. The belief that entering the final quarter with a narrow lead and an extra man would lead to inevitable glory. Even in the absence of their star man their scrum-half, they still had sufficient resources to restrain the big beasts under control.

On the contrary, it was a case of assuming victory too early. Having been 17-13 down, the South African side with a player sent off finished by racking up 19 points without reply, reinforcing their reputation as a side who more and more reserve their top performance for the most challenging scenarios. If defeating the All Blacks by a large margin in earlier this year was a statement, here was definitive evidence that the leading international squad are building an even thicker skin.

Forward Dominance

Actually, the coach's experienced front eight are starting to make everyone else look less intense by contrast. The Scottish and English sides experienced their promising spells over the recent fixtures but possessed nothing like the same powerful carriers that systematically dismantled the home side to ruins in the last half-hour. Some promising young France's pack members are emerging but, by the conclusion, Saturday night was a mismatch in experience.

What was perhaps even more striking was the psychological resilience underpinning it all. Missing their lock forward – issued a red card in the first half for a shoulder to the head of Thomas Ramos – the Boks could potentially lost their composure. As it happened they just circled the wagons and proceeded to pulling the deflated home team to what a retired hooker described as “extreme physical pressure.”

Guidance and Example

Post-game, having been borne aloft around the Parisian stadium on the immense frames of Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman to celebrate his hundredth Test, the Springbok captain, the flanker, repeatedly highlighted how a significant number of his team have been required to rise above off-field adversity and how he hoped his side would likewise continue to motivate fans.

The insightful an analyst also made an perceptive observation on sports media, suggesting that the coach's achievements increasingly make him the parallel figure of Sir Alex Ferguson. Should the Springboks manage to secure another global trophy there will be no doubt whatsoever. Should they come up short, the intelligent way in which Erasmus has refreshed a potentially ageing squad has been an masterclass to other teams.

New Generation

Look no further than his young playmaker Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who sprinted past for the decisive touchdown that properly blew open the French windows. And also Grant Williams, another backline player with lightning acceleration and an more acute eye for a gap. Naturally it is an advantage to play behind a gargantuan pack, with the inside back providing support, but the continuing evolution of the Boks from scowling heavyweights into a side who can also float like butterflies and sting like bees is extraordinary.

French Flashes

This is not to imply that the French team were totally outclassed, notwithstanding their weak ending. Damian Penaud’s second try in the wing area was a good illustration. The forward dominance that occupied the Bok forwards, the superb distribution from Ramos and the winger's clinical finish into the sideline boards all exhibited the hallmarks of a squad with significant talent, without Dupont.

However, that in the end was inadequate, which truly represents a daunting prospect for everybody else. There is no way, for example, that the visitors could have fallen behind by 17 points to South Africa and mounted a comeback in the way they did versus New Zealand. And for all the red rose's late resurgence, there is a gap to close before the England team can be assured of standing up to the South African powerhouses with everything on the line.

Home Nations' Tests

Beating an developing Fijian side posed difficulties on the weekend although the forthcoming clash against the All Blacks will be the contest that properly defines their autumn. The All Blacks are certainly vulnerable, especially missing an influential back in their backline, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they remain a level above most the European sides.

The Thistles were notably at fault of failing to hammer home the final nails and doubts still surround the English side's perfect backline combination. It is acceptable finishing games strongly – and infinitely better 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 one-point home victory over the French in the winter.

Future Prospects

Hence the significance of this next weekend. Reading between the lines it would seem several changes are likely in the matchday squad, with established stars returning to the lineup. Among the forwards, likewise, regular starters should all be back from the beginning.

But context is key, in sport as in life. Between now and the upcoming world championship the {rest