Jean de Villiers believes the Springboks would have beaten France in Paris even if they had been reduced to 13 men.
The former Bok captain hailed the world champions’ 32-17 victory at the Stade de France as “a coaching masterclass” – and said the plan was so complete that even the red card to Lood de Jager just before half time didn’t derail it.
“It was a coaching masterclass and a physical performance across the park that I haven’t seen in a long time,” said De Villiers on The Verdict podcast.
“Even if we had gone two men down, I still think South Africa would have won that game.
“The planning and tactics were perfect, and the intensity was something no one can match right now.”
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De Villiers highlighted the Boks’ suffocating kicking blueprint and set-piece control.
“Our kicking game is exceptional – those attacking kicks in behind add a new dimension – and the scrum can win you or lose you a Test match. For us, it’s six points a game and 10% of territory. That dominance gives you control.”
Former Springbok centre and ex-Stormers coach Robbie Fleck agreed the win was built long before kick-off.
“By the 15th minute you could see the French were in trouble,” he said. “The Boks’ execution and intensity were on another level. They even prepared for a red-card scenario, and it showed.”
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Fleck added that the Boks’ end-of-year tour schedule was critical to the result.
“The extra game against Japan gave us an edge. Damian de Allende told me they’ve never trained that hard – the intensity of the sessions has gone to another level.
“Rassie is a brilliant rugby mind; you can see the plan unfold – everything is accounted for.”
Stormers forwards coach Rito Hlungwani said the Boks “planned for every scenario” and backed the half-time reshuffle after the red card.
“You can’t afford to lose your lineout in the second half – that call balanced the game.”
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Hlungwani said the Boks’ tactics were “slow poison”.
“The French pack started strong, but our plan was to make them work – scrums, shuttles, turning, tackling. By around 30 minutes they were cooked.
“We’ve created a sevens-style work rate in a 15-man game. The off-the-ball effort is massive.”
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Fleck and De Villiers also praised the bench impact and the “hybrid” roles that kept France guessing.
“Bench management was spot on,” said Fleck. “Bringing the experienced guys on at the right time swung momentum completely.”
Hlungwani added: “Even with 14 men, we kept changing the picture — maul threats, contestables, quick taps, chips in behind. France couldn’t settle.”
Photo: Xavier Laine/Getty Images
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