🔗 Share this article

A number of triumphs carry double significance in the statement they communicate. Among the barrage of weekend Test matches, it was the Saturday evening score in Paris that will echo longest across the rugby world. Not only the final score, but the way the approach of success. To say that the Springboks demolished several comfortable beliefs would be an understatement of the season.

Surprising Comeback

Forget about the notion, for example, that France would avenge the disappointment of their World Cup last-eight loss. The belief that entering the last period with a narrow lead and an numerical superiority would translate into assumed success. Even in the absence of their talisman Antoine Dupont, they still had ample resources to contain the powerful opponents safely at bay.

On the contrary, it was a case of counting their poulets too early. Initially trailing by four points, the reduced Springboks ended up registering 19 consecutive points, strengthening their standing as a side who more and more save their best for the most challenging circumstances. If beating New Zealand 43-10 in the last quarter was a statement, here was clear demonstration that the leading international squad are developing an more robust mentality.

Forward Dominance

If anything, the coach's title-winning pack are starting to make all other teams look less intense by contrast. Both northern hemisphere teams both had their periods of promise over the two-day period but lacked entirely the same earthmovers that thoroughly overwhelmed the French pack to ruins in the closing period. Several up-and-coming young French forwards are emerging but, by the conclusion, the encounter was a mismatch in experience.

What was perhaps even more striking was the psychological resilience driving it all. Without 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. Instead they just regrouped and proceeded to pulling the disheartened boys in blue to what one former French international called “extreme physical pressure.”

Guidance and Example

Following the match, having been borne aloft around the venue on the powerful backs of the lock pairing to mark his century of appearances, the team leader, Siya Kolisi, once again highlighted how many of his team have been needed to rise above life difficulties and how he aspired his team would similarly continue to inspire people.

The insightful David Flatman also made an shrewd point on sports media, proposing that the coach's achievements more and more make him the rugby coaching equivalent of the legendary football manager. Should the Springboks manage to win a third successive World Cup there will be no doubt whatsoever. In case they fall short, the clever way in which the coach has revitalized a experienced roster has been an object lesson to other teams.

Emerging Talent

Look no further than his young playmaker the rising star who sprinted past for the late try that decisively broke the French windows. Or another half-back, another half-back with explosive speed and an keener ability to spot openings. Naturally it is beneficial to play behind a gargantuan pack, with the inside back riding shotgun, but the ongoing metamorphosis of the Springboks from intimidating giants into a side who can also float like butterflies and sting like bees is hugely impressive.

Glimpses of French Quality

Which is not to say that France were completely dominated, despite their weak ending. Damian Penaud’s later touchdown in the wing area was a clear example. The forward dominance that engaged the visiting eight, the glorious long pass from Ramos and Penaud’s finishing dive into the advertising hoardings all exhibited the hallmarks of a squad with notable skill, despite missing their star man.

But even that ultimately proved inadequate, which is a sobering thought for competing teams. It would be impossible, for example, that the Scottish side could have trailed heavily to South Africa and fought back in the way they did against the All Blacks. And for all the red rose's last-quarter improvement, there still exists a gap to close before the national side can be assured of facing Erasmus’s green-clad giants with high stakes.

European Prospects

Beating an Pacific Island team posed difficulties on Saturday although the next encounter against the the Kiwis will be the contest that accurately reflects their end-of-year series. New Zealand are definitely still beatable, notably absent their key midfielder in their midfield, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they are still a cut above the majority of the northern hemisphere teams.

The Scottish team were especially culpable of not finishing off the killing points and question marks still apply to the red rose's ideal backline blend. It is acceptable ending matches well – and much preferable than fading in the closing stages – but their admirable nine-match unbeaten run this year has so far included just a single victory over elite-level teams, a close result over France in February.

Next Steps

Therefore the weight of this coming Saturday. Analyzing the situation it would seem a number of adjustments are likely in the team selection, with experienced individuals being reinstated to the lineup. Among the forwards, similarly, regular starters should all be back from the outset.

But context is key, in sport as in existence. From now until the upcoming world championship the {rest