Certain wins carry dual weight in the message they communicate. Within the flood of weekend rugby Tests, it was the Saturday evening outcome in Paris that will echo longest across both hemispheres. Not merely the conclusion, but also the style of success. To say that South Africa overturned various established beliefs would be an understatement of the rugby year.
Surprising Comeback
So much for the notion, for instance, that France would avenge the unfairness of their World Cup elimination. The belief that entering the last period with a slight advantage and an additional player would result in inevitable glory. Even in the absence of their star man their captain, they still had ample resources to restrain the strong rivals safely at bay.
Instead, it was a case of assuming victory before time. After being behind on the scoreboard, the South African side with a player sent off finished by registering 19 consecutive points, confirming their standing as a team who consistently deliver their finest rugby for the toughest situations. If overpowering New Zealand in Wellington in the last quarter was a declaration, here was clear demonstration that the world’s No 1 side are cultivating an greater resilience.
Pack Power
If anything, the coach's title-winning pack are increasingly make opposing sides look less committed by juxtaposition. Both northern hemisphere teams experienced their moments over the recent fixtures but possessed nothing like the same powerful carriers that effectively reduced the French pack to rubble in the last half-hour. Some promising young home nation players are emerging but, by the conclusion, Saturday night was a mismatch in experience.
Perhaps most impressive was the psychological resilience supporting it all. Without Lood de Jager – given a red card in the first half for a high tackle of Thomas Ramos – the Springboks could easily have become disorganized. As it happened they merely circled the wagons and began taking the deflated boys in blue to what an ex-France player referred to as “the hurt locker.”
Leadership and Inspiration
Following the match, having been hoisted around the Parisian stadium on the powerful backs of the lock pairing to celebrate his 100th cap, the team leader, the flanker, yet again stressed how many of his squad have been needed to rise above off-field adversity and how he aspired his side would similarly continue to motivate people.
The ever-sage an analyst also made an astute point on broadcast, suggesting that the coach's achievements increasingly make him the rugby's version of the Manchester United great. If South Africa do go on to win a third successive World Cup there will be absolute certainty. Even if they come up short, the intelligent way in which the mentor has rejuvenated a potentially ageing squad has been an masterclass to all.
Young Stars
Take for example his young playmaker the newcomer who sprinted past for the late try that effectively shattered the French windows. Or the scrum-half, a second playmaker with blistering pace and an even sharper vision for space. Of course it is an advantage to play behind a massive forward unit, with André Esterhuizen adding physicality, but the steady transformation of the Boks from scowling heavyweights into a squad who can also move with agility and deliver telling blows is remarkable.
Glimpses of French Quality
Which is not to say that the French team were completely dominated, despite their fading performance. Their winger's second try in the far side was a good illustration. The set-piece strength that tied in the visiting eight, the excellent wide ball from the playmaker and the winger's clinical finish into the advertising hoardings all demonstrated the characteristics of a side with significant talent, despite missing Dupont.
Yet that turned out to be not enough, which really is a humbling reality for all other nations. It would be impossible, for instance, that the Scottish side could have trailed heavily to South Africa and come galloping back in the way they did in their fixture. And for all the red rose's strong finish, there remains a distance to travel before the England team can be certain of standing up to the world's top team with all at stake.
European Prospects
Defeating an improving Fiji proved tricky enough on match day although the upcoming showdown against the All Blacks will be the match that truly shapes their November Tests. New Zealand are certainly vulnerable, especially missing their key midfielder in their backline, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they remain a level above most the northern hemisphere teams.
The Scottish team were especially culpable of not finishing off the killing points and doubts still hang over the red rose's perfect backline combination. It is acceptable finishing games strongly – and infinitely better than losing them late on – but their commendable winning sequence this year has so far included just a single victory over top-drawer opposition, a close result over the French in February.
Future Prospects
Thus the weight of this upround. Reading between the lines it would appear various alterations are expected in the matchday squad, with experienced individuals being reinstated to the lineup. In the pack, similarly, first-choice players should all be back from the start.
But perspective matters, in rugby as in life. In the lead-up to the next global tournament the {rest
