A number of triumphs deliver double weight in the lesson they broadcast. Within the flood of weekend Test matches, it was Saturday night's score in Paris that will echo longest across both hemispheres. Not merely the end result, but also the manner of success. To suggest that the Springboks shattered various established beliefs would be an oversimplification of the season.
Shifting Momentum
Discard the idea, for instance, that France would make amends for the disappointment of their World Cup elimination. The belief that entering the final quarter with a small margin and an extra man would translate into inevitable glory. That even without their key player their scrum-half, they still had ample tranquiliser darts to restrain the powerful opponents safely at bay.
As it turned out, it was a case of assuming victory prematurely. Having been trailing by four points, the reduced Springboks ended up registering 19 consecutive points, strengthening their reputation as a squad who consistently save their best for the most challenging scenarios. While defeating the All Blacks by a large margin in the last quarter was a message, here was conclusive proof that the leading international squad are cultivating an more robust mentality.
Set-Piece Superiority
If anything, the coach's title-winning pack are increasingly make everyone else look less committed by juxtaposition. The Scottish and English sides both had their promising spells 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. Several up-and-coming young France's pack members are emerging but, by the final whistle, the encounter was a mismatch in experience.
Even more notable was the inner fortitude supporting it all. Missing their lock forward – shown a red card in the first half for a shoulder to the head of Thomas Ramos – the South Africans could might well have faltered. On the contrary they merely united and set about dragging the disheartened French side to what a retired hooker described as “the hurt locker.”
Guidance and Example
Afterwards, having been carried around the Parisian stadium on the gigantic shoulders of Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman to celebrate his century of appearances, the Springbok captain, the flanker, yet again emphasized how many of his team have been needed to rise above off-field adversity and how he hoped his team would similarly continue to motivate people.
The perceptive David Flatman also made an shrewd comment on television, proposing that the coach's achievements progressively make him the parallel figure of the legendary football manager. If South Africa do go on to claim a third straight world title there will be absolute certainty. In case they fall short, the smart way in which Erasmus has rejuvenated a experienced roster has been an masterclass to everyone.
Emerging Talent
Take for example his young playmaker Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who skipped over for the late try that effectively shattered the opposition line. Additionally Grant Williams, a further half-back with lightning acceleration and an even sharper vision for space. Naturally it helps to operate behind a massive forward unit, with the powerful center adding physicality, but the continuing evolution of the Springboks from intimidating giants into a squad who can also move with agility and strike decisively is extraordinary.
French Flashes
However, it should not be thought that the home side were totally outclassed, notwithstanding their fading performance. Their winger's additional score in the far side was a prime instance. The power up front that occupied the visiting eight, the excellent wide ball from Ramos and the try-scorer's execution into the sideline boards all exhibited the traits of a squad with significant talent, even in the absence of their captain.
Yet that turned out to be inadequate, which truly represents a sobering thought for competing teams. It is inconceivable, for instance, that the Scottish side could have trailed heavily to South Africa and fought back in the way they did in their fixture. And for all the red rose's strong finish, there still exists a journey ahead before the national side can be assured of standing up to the South African powerhouses with everything on the line.
European Prospects
Beating an developing Fijian side was challenging on the weekend although the forthcoming clash against the the Kiwis will be the contest that accurately reflects their November Tests. The All Blacks are definitely still beatable, notably absent their key midfielder in their center, but when it comes to taking their chances they remain a level above the majority of the home unions.
Scotland were particularly guilty of missing the chance to secure the killing points and doubts still hang over the English side's optimal back division. It is all very well finishing games strongly – and much preferable than losing them late on – but their admirable undefeated streak this year has so far featured only one win over world-class sides, a close result over Les Bleus in earlier in the year.
Next Steps
Hence the weight of this next weekend. Interpreting the signals it would appear a number of adjustments are expected in the starting lineup, with key players being reinstated to the lineup. Among the forwards, similarly, regular starters should be included from the outset.
But context is key, in competition as in life. Between now and the next global tournament the {rest
