Certain wins carry double weight in the lesson they broadcast. Within the flurry of weekend international rugby fixtures, it was Saturday night's score in Paris that will resonate most enduringly across the rugby world. Not merely the final score, but the way the manner of achievement. To claim that the Springboks shattered a number of established beliefs would be an understatement of the season.
Surprising Comeback
Forget about the idea, for example, that France would avenge the injustice of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. Assuming that going into the last period with a narrow lead and an extra man would result in inevitable glory. That even without their talisman Antoine Dupont, they still had more than enough tranquiliser darts to contain the strong rivals under control.
On the contrary, it was a case of counting their poulets before time. After being trailing by four points, the South African side with a player sent off ended up racking up 19 points without reply, reinforcing their reputation as a team who more and more deliver their finest rugby for the most demanding circumstances. Whereas defeating the All Blacks by a large margin in September was a message, this was clear demonstration that the top-ranked team are cultivating an more robust mentality.
Set-Piece Superiority
In fact, Rassie Erasmus’s title-winning pack are increasingly make everyone else look less intense by comparison. The Scottish and English sides experienced their promising spells over the recent fixtures but lacked entirely the same dominant forwards that effectively reduced the home side to ruins in the closing period. Several up-and-coming young home nation players are developing but, by the end, the encounter was hommes contre garçons.
Even more notable was the mental strength driving it all. In the absence of their lock forward – given a dismissal before halftime for a dangerous contact of the opposition kicker – the Springboks could easily have become disorganized. As it happened they merely regrouped and began dragging the disheartened boys in blue to what one former French international called “the hurt locker.”
Leadership and Inspiration
Post-game, having been hoisted around the venue on the gigantic shoulders of the lock pairing to honor his 100th cap, the team leader, the flanker, once again stressed how a significant number of his squad have been obliged to rise above off-field adversity and how he aspired his team would in the same way continue to encourage fans.
The perceptive an analyst also made an shrewd point on broadcast, suggesting that Erasmus’s record increasingly make him the rugby coaching equivalent of the legendary football manager. Should the Springboks do go on to claim a third straight world title there will be absolute certainty. Even if they fall short, the smart way in which Erasmus has rejuvenated a experienced squad has been an object lesson to all.
Young Stars
Take for example his emerging number 10 the newcomer who skipped over for the decisive touchdown that properly blew open the home defense. Or the scrum-half, a second half-back 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 riding shotgun, but the steady transformation of the South African team from scowling heavyweights into a squad who can also move with agility and strike decisively is hugely impressive.
French Flashes
This is not to imply that the home side were completely dominated, in spite of their fading performance. The wing's second try in the right corner was a good illustration. The power up front that occupied the visiting eight, the glorious long pass from the playmaker and the winger's clinical finish into the sideline boards all displayed the characteristics of a squad with significant talent, despite missing their captain.
But even that in the end was not enough, which really is a humbling reality for competing teams. There is no way, for example, that Scotland could have trailed heavily to the world champions and fought back in the way they did versus New Zealand. And for all the red rose's strong finish, there remains a gap to close before Steve Borthwick’s squad can be assured of standing up to the world's top team with high stakes.
Northern Hemisphere Challenges
Beating an developing Fijian side was challenging on match day although the upcoming showdown against the New Zealand will be the contest that accurately reflects their autumn. The All Blacks are certainly vulnerable, especially missing Jordie Barrett in their midfield, but when it comes to taking their chances they remain a cut above the majority of the home unions.
The Scottish team were notably at fault of not finishing off the killing points and question marks still hang over the red rose's ideal backline blend. It is acceptable performing in the final quarter – and far superior than losing them late on – but their admirable undefeated streak this year has so far featured only one win over elite-level teams, a close result over the French in earlier in the year.
Next Steps
Thus the importance of this coming Saturday. Analyzing the situation it would look like various alterations are expected in the matchday squad, with established stars being reinstated to the lineup. Up front, in the same way, familiar faces should return from the start.
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