Donal Lenihan: As if we needed reminding, Rassie and the Boks show why they're the best around

Rassie Erasmus's world champions laid down a marker against France last weekend. They'll head for Dublin next week.

SHOULDERS OF GIANTS: South Africa locks Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman carry skipper, Siya Kolisi at the end of the Autumn Nations Series international against France at the Stade de France on Saturday. Pic: Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP

Statement performance, statement win.  There’s only one place to start today. If there was any doubt as to who the number one side in the world is right now, South Africa put that firmly to bed against France in Paris on Saturday night.

Almost two years to the day since 2027 World Cup final, Rassie Erasmus could not have asked for more from his charges. Where other coaches might panic, you could almost feel his sense of excitement in the coaches’ box at the sight of giant second row Lood de Jager being issued with a red card for a horrible tackle on Thomas Ramos on the stroke of half-time.