Certain wins carry twofold weight in the statement they convey. Within the flurry of weekend international rugby fixtures, it was the Saturday evening outcome in the French capital that will echo most profoundly across the rugby world. Not merely the conclusion, but also the style of victory. To claim that South Africa shattered several established assumptions would be an oversimplification of the season.
Shifting Momentum
Forget about the idea, for example, that France would rectify the injustice of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. Assuming that going into the closing stages with a small margin and an numerical superiority would translate into certain victory. That even without their talisman their scrum-half, they still had more than enough resources to restrain the powerful opponents under control.
As it turned out, it was a case of celebrating too soon before time. Initially 17-13 down, the 14-man Boks finished by scoring 19 unanswered points, confirming their reputation as a squad who consistently deliver their finest rugby for the most challenging situations. If overpowering New Zealand in Wellington in earlier this year was a declaration, here was definitive evidence that the top-ranked team are cultivating an even thicker skin.
Pack Power
In fact, Erasmus's title-winning pack are increasingly make opposing sides look less intense by comparison. Scotland and England experienced their promising spells over the weekend but possessed nothing like the same earthmovers that effectively reduced the French pack to rubble in the last half-hour. A number of talented young France's pack members are coming through but, by the end, the match was hommes contre garçons.
Even more notable was the psychological resilience driving it all. In the absence of Lood de Jager – issued a 38th-minute straight red for a shoulder to the head of the opposition kicker – the Springboks could potentially faltered. Instead they simply united and proceeded to pulling the demoralized boys in blue to what a retired hooker described as “a place of suffering.”
Guidance and Example
Afterwards, having been carried around the venue on the immense frames of two key forwards to mark his hundredth Test, the South African skipper, the inspirational figure, once again stressed how a significant number of his team have been needed to rise above life difficulties and how he wished his side would in the same way continue to encourage others.
The ever-sage David Flatman also made an astute observation on broadcast, suggesting that his results increasingly make him the parallel figure of the legendary football manager. If South Africa manage to claim a third straight world title there will be absolute certainty. Should they fall short, the smart way in which the mentor has refreshed a possibly veteran roster has been an object lesson to everyone.
Young Stars
Take for example his 23-year-old fly-half the rising star who skipped over for the closing score that properly blew open the French windows. And also another half-back, a further half-back with explosive speed and an keener ability to spot openings. Undoubtedly it helps to play behind a massive forward unit, with the inside back riding shotgun, but the continuing evolution of the Springboks from physically imposing units into a team who can also move with agility and sting like bees is remarkable.
French Flashes
Which is not to say that the French team were utterly overwhelmed, despite their weak ending. Damian Penaud’s additional score in the wing area was a prime instance. The set-piece strength that occupied the visiting eight, the superb distribution from Ramos and the try-scorer's execution into the sideline boards all demonstrated the hallmarks of a squad with notable skill, despite missing their star man.
Yet that in the end was insufficient, which is a humbling reality for competing teams. It is inconceivable, for example, that the Scottish side could have fallen behind by 17 points to the Springboks and mounted a comeback in the way they did in their fixture. Despite the English team's strong finish, there remains a gap to close before the national side can be confident of facing Erasmus’s green-clad giants with high stakes.
Home Nations' Tests
Defeating an developing Fijian side proved tricky enough on match day although the next encounter against the New Zealand will be the match that properly defines their November Tests. The All Blacks are not invincible, particularly without an influential back in their center, but when it comes to taking their chances they are still a level above most the European sides.
Scotland were notably at fault of not finishing off the final nails and doubts still apply to the red rose's perfect backline combination. It is all very well 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 world-class sides, a close result over France in earlier in the year.
Next Steps
Therefore the importance of this next weekend. Analyzing the situation it would appear a number of adjustments are anticipated in the team selection, with key players being reinstated to the side. Among the forwards, in the same way, first-choice players should be included from the start.
However everything is relative, in rugby as in life. Between now and the next global tournament the {rest
