The defeat marked a second time in 23 months for Erasmus to get one over his French counterpart, who had visited him while he was working with the Irish province between 2016 and 2017.

Flanker Kolisi ran out alone for his landmark Test match to a cacophony of noise under a dramatic light show, which set the tone for the nail-biter.

The accident shook him mentally and physically but he began to pick up the pieces this year.

Both had finished on 19-under par after Wang forced the playoff with a dramatic, snaking 12-foot birdie putt at the final hole.

Rybakina was untouchable on serve in the second set, dropping just two points on serve through four service games.