Some victories carry dual weight in the message they convey. Among the barrage of weekend international rugby fixtures, it was Saturday night's result in the French capital that will echo longest across the globe. Not only the final score, but the way the manner of achievement. To say that South Africa shattered various comfortable theories would be an modest description of the calendar.
Unexpected Turnaround
Forget about the theory, for example, that the French team would avenge the disappointment of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. The belief that entering the final quarter with a small margin and an numerical superiority would result in inevitable glory. That even without their key player Antoine Dupont, they still had sufficient strategies to contain the strong rivals at a distance.
Instead, it was a case of assuming victory too early. Initially behind on the scoreboard, the 14-man Boks ended up registering 19 consecutive points, strengthening their standing as a team who increasingly reserve their top performance for the most challenging scenarios. While beating New Zealand 43-10 in earlier this year was a statement, here was conclusive proof that the top-ranked team are cultivating an greater resilience.
Set-Piece Superiority
In fact, Erasmus's title-winning pack are starting to make opposing sides look laissez-faire by contrast. Scotland and England each enjoyed their periods of promise over the two-day period but lacked entirely the same dominant forwards that thoroughly overwhelmed the French pack to rubble in the final thirty minutes. Some promising young France's pack members are emerging but, by the end, Saturday night was a mismatch in experience.
Perhaps most impressive was the inner fortitude supporting it all. Missing the second-rower – given a 38th-minute straight red for a shoulder to the head of Thomas Ramos – the South Africans could easily have become disorganized. Instead they merely regrouped and proceeded to pulling the deflated home team to what a retired hooker described as “a place of suffering.”
Guidance and Example
Afterwards, having been carried around the Stade de France on the gigantic shoulders of Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman to mark his century of appearances, the South African skipper, Siya Kolisi, repeatedly emphasized how a significant number of his team have been obliged to rise above off-field adversity and how he hoped his side would similarly continue to encourage fans.
The ever-sage an analyst also made an shrewd comment on broadcast, stating that his results increasingly make him the rugby's version of the legendary football manager. Should the Springboks do go on to win a third successive World Cup there will be complete assurance. In case they fall short, the clever way in which the mentor has revitalized a experienced squad has been an masterclass to all.
Emerging Talent
Look no further than his 23-year-old fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who darted through for the decisive touchdown that properly blew open the home defense. Or another half-back, a further half-back with lightning acceleration and an more acute ability to spot openings. Naturally it is beneficial to have the support of a gargantuan pack, with the powerful center riding shotgun, but the ongoing metamorphosis of the South African team from scowling heavyweights into a side who can also move with agility and deliver telling blows is remarkable.
French Flashes
Which is not to say that France were utterly overwhelmed, notwithstanding their fading performance. Their winger's later touchdown in the far side was a good illustration. The forward dominance that tied in the Bok forwards, the superb distribution from Ramos and the winger's clinical finish into the advertising hoardings all exhibited the hallmarks of a team with considerable ability, despite missing their captain.
Yet that in the end was insufficient, which is a daunting prospect for all other nations. There is no way, for example, that the Scottish side could have trailed heavily to South Africa and fought back in the way they did versus New Zealand. And for all the red rose's strong finish, there still exists a distance to travel before the national side can be confident of standing up to Erasmus’s green-clad giants with all at stake.
Home Nations' Tests
Beating an developing Fijian side posed difficulties on Saturday although the forthcoming clash against the New Zealand will be the match that properly defines their November Tests. New Zealand are not invincible, notably absent their key midfielder in their center, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they remain a cut above the majority of the northern hemisphere teams.
The Scottish team were notably at fault of missing the chance to secure the decisive blows and doubts still surround the red rose's ideal backline blend. It is all very well performing in the final quarter – and far superior than losing them late on – but their commendable undefeated streak this year has so far shown just one success over elite-level teams, a one-point home victory over the French in earlier in the year.
Looking Ahead
Hence the weight of this coming Saturday. Interpreting the signals it would look like several changes are anticipated in the team selection, with established stars returning to the team. In the pack, likewise, familiar faces should be included from the beginning.
However context is key, in competition as in reality. In the lead-up to the upcoming world championship the {rest
