Eddie Jones has hailed South Africa’s 32-17 win over France in Paris as a masterclass in resilience and depth, saying the Springboks’ newest triumph underlines why they continue to be the standard-bearers of Check rugby.
Talking on the Rugby Unity podcast, the Japan head coach mentioned the world champions’ potential to dismantle Fabien Galthié’s aspect regardless of taking part in half the match with 14 males was additional proof of their unrivalled psychological toughness.
Jones’ Japan have been final week on the receiving finish of a South Africa hammering, however had no issues giving credit score to the world champions.
“They scored 32 towards France with 14 males,” Jones mentioned. “It places into perspective our [Japan] recreation, the place they scored 60 with 15 and have been taking part in at ‘house,’ as a result of they think about London a house venue.”
Lood de Jager’s pink card late within the first half might need damaged most groups, however as a substitute the Boks produced three unanswered tries within the remaining 20 minutes to safe their largest win over France within the French capital since 1997.
It adopted their 61-7 thrashing of Japan every week earlier, a consequence that Jones admits seems to be completely different now within the context of what the identical South African aspect did to the world’s fifth-ranked group in Paris.
“Taking part in on the Stade de France is a reasonably intimidating ambiance – however not for the South Africans,” Jones added.
The Australian was significantly impressed with the Boks’ versatility and their potential to adapt on the fly after dropping a key ahead. When De Jager was dismissed, captain Siya Kolisi was sacrificed for substitute lock Ruan Nortje, and later André Esterhuizen coated a number of roles because the backline reshuffled.
“Having gamers who can cowl a number of positions is such a present for a coach,” mentioned Jones. “It offers a group actual flexibility. South Africa’s depth might be higher than anybody’s, and that’s what permits them to complete video games so strongly. That’s an actual credit score to them.”
