South Africa’s revival in 2017 has been built on their intensity in defence and vigour at the breakdown, which was on display again in the dominant 35-12 victory over France at Ellis Park on Saturday that saw them sweep the home series 3-0. The Springboks scored four tries to none and overcame the late withdrawal of captain Warren Whiteley to overpower their opponents and take the series with an aggregate of 109 points over the three tests. The past three weeks have been chalk and cheese with last year, when the Boks lost eight of their 12 tests, including historic defeats to Ireland, Italy and Argentina, for the worst rugby season in the country’s history. The calls from the public for coach Allister Coetzee’s sacking were at times deafening, but the improvement in the side, specifically at the breakdown and on defence in particular, has been striking. "It was great to see how we have turned things around. We’ve learned a lot since last year. There’s a lot of belief in the side now...
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