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Some victories carry dual significance in the lesson they broadcast. Among the barrage of weekend rugby Tests, it was the Saturday evening outcome in Paris that will resonate most enduringly across the rugby world. Not merely the conclusion, but also the approach of success. To claim that South Africa demolished various established assumptions would be an understatement of the rugby year.

Shifting Momentum

Discard the theory, for example, that the French team would rectify the injustice of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. That entering the closing stages with a slight advantage and an extra man would result in certain victory. Even in the absence of their talisman Antoine Dupont, they still had sufficient strategies to keep the strong rivals at a distance.

On the contrary, it was a case of assuming victory too early. Having been 17-13 down, the reduced Springboks ended up racking up 19 points without reply, reinforcing their status as a squad who more and more reserve their top performance for the most demanding situations. While overpowering New Zealand in Wellington in the last quarter was a message, this was definitive evidence that the leading international squad are developing an greater resilience.

Set-Piece Superiority

In fact, the coach's experienced front eight are starting to make all other teams look laissez-faire by comparison. Both northern hemisphere teams each enjoyed their promising spells over the recent fixtures but possessed nothing like the same powerful carriers that systematically dismantled France to rubble in the last half-hour. Several up-and-coming young home nation players are coming through but, by the end, Saturday night was hommes contre garçons.

What was perhaps even more striking was the inner fortitude underpinning it all. In the absence of Lood de Jager – issued a 38th-minute straight red for a high tackle of the French full-back – the South Africans could might well have faltered. As it happened they merely united and set about dragging the demoralized boys in blue to what one former French international described as “the hurt locker.”

Captaincy and Motivation

Post-game, having been hoisted around the Stade de France on the immense frames of the lock pairing to mark his century of appearances, the Springbok captain, Siya Kolisi, repeatedly emphasized how several of his team have been obliged to conquer off-field adversity and how he wished his team would likewise continue to inspire others.

The insightful an analyst also made an astute comment on sports media, stating that his results increasingly make him the rugby's version of the legendary football manager. Should the Springboks manage to win a third successive World Cup there will be complete assurance. Even if they fail to achieve it, the smart way in which Erasmus has refreshed a potentially ageing roster has been an exemplary model to other teams.

Young Stars

Consider his emerging number 10 the newcomer who skipped over for the closing score that decisively broke the opposition line. Additionally the scrum-half, another half-back with lightning acceleration and an more acute vision for space. Of course it is beneficial to operate behind a massive forward unit, with the powerful center providing support, but the steady transformation of the Boks from intimidating giants into a squad who can also display finesse and sting like bees is extraordinary.

French Flashes

However, it should not be thought that the French team were totally outclassed, in spite of their fading performance. Damian Penaud’s second try in the right corner was a prime instance. The power up front that tied in the visiting eight, the excellent wide ball from the full-back and the winger's clinical finish into the sideline boards all exhibited the characteristics of a team with significant talent, without their star man.

Yet that ultimately proved inadequate, which really is a humbling reality for everybody else. There is no way, for instance, that Scotland could have gone 17-0 down to the world champions and fought back in the way they did versus New Zealand. And for all England’s strong finish, there still exists a distance to travel before the national side can be confident of facing the world's top team with high stakes.

European Prospects

Beating an Pacific Island team posed difficulties on Saturday although the forthcoming clash against the the Kiwis will be the contest that properly defines their November Tests. The All Blacks are not invincible, particularly without Jordie Barrett in their center, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they continue to be a level above most the European sides.

Scotland were especially culpable of failing to hammer home the final nails and question marks still apply to the red rose's optimal back division. It is acceptable finishing games strongly – and infinitely better than losing them late on – but their admirable undefeated streak this year has so far shown just one success over top-drawer opposition, a close result over the French in the winter.

Looking Ahead

Thus the weight of this upround. Analyzing the situation it would appear various alterations are likely in the matchday squad, with key players returning to the team. Up front, similarly, regular starters should all be back from the outset.

Yet context is key, in rugby as in life. Between now and the next global tournament the {rest