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A number of triumphs carry twofold importance in the message they communicate. Within the flurry of weekend rugby Tests, it was the Saturday evening result in the French capital that will linger longest across the globe. Not just the conclusion, but the way the manner of success. To claim that the Springboks shattered a number of comfortable assumptions would be an oversimplification of the calendar.

Shifting Momentum

So much for the theory, for example, that France would avenge the injustice of their World Cup last-eight loss. The belief that entering the final quarter with a narrow lead and an numerical superiority would lead to assumed success. Despite missing their key player their scrum-half, they still had sufficient resources to contain the powerful opponents under control.

As it turned out, it was a case of counting their poulets prematurely. Initially trailing by four points, the South African side with a player sent off concluded with racking up 19 points without reply, strengthening their standing as a side who more and more reserve their top performance for the most challenging circumstances. If defeating the All Blacks by a large margin in September was a message, now came conclusive proof that the world’s No 1 side are developing an even thicker skin.

Pack Power

In fact, Rassie Erasmus’s title-winning pack are increasingly make opposing sides look less intense by contrast. Both northern hemisphere teams each enjoyed their periods of promise over the two-day period but did not have the same earthmovers that effectively reduced the French pack to ruins in the closing period. Some promising young France's pack members are developing but, by the end, the encounter was men against boys.

Perhaps most impressive was the inner fortitude driving it all. Without their lock forward – issued a dismissal before halftime for a shoulder to the head of the French full-back – the South Africans could might well have lost their composure. On the contrary they simply circled the wagons and proceeded to taking the demoralized home team to what an ex-France player called “a place of suffering.”

Guidance and Example

Following the match, having been hoisted around the Stade de France on the powerful backs of the lock pairing to honor his hundredth Test, the South African skipper, Siya Kolisi, repeatedly stressed how many of his players have been required to rise above off-field adversity and how he wished his side would in the same way continue to motivate people.

The ever-sage David Flatman also made an shrewd point on sports media, stating that Erasmus’s record progressively make him the parallel figure of the legendary football manager. If South Africa do go on to secure another global trophy there will be complete assurance. Should they come up short, the intelligent way in which the mentor has rejuvenated a potentially ageing squad has been an exemplary model to everyone.

New Generation

Consider his young playmaker the newcomer who skipped over for the decisive touchdown that effectively shattered the home defense. Additionally the scrum-half, a further backline player with blistering pace and an keener eye for a gap. Of course it helps to operate behind a dominant set of forwards, with the powerful center providing support, but the continuing evolution of the Boks from intimidating giants into a squad who can also float like butterflies and strike decisively is hugely impressive.

Home Side's Moments

Which is not to say that the French team were completely dominated, notwithstanding their weak ending. Their winger's second try in the wing area was a good illustration. The forward dominance that tied in the visiting eight, the superb distribution from Ramos and the try-scorer's execution into the sideline boards all demonstrated the characteristics of a team with significant talent, without their star man.

However, that turned out to be insufficient, which really is a daunting prospect for competing teams. It would be impossible, for instance, that the Scottish side could have gone 17-0 down to the Springboks and mounted a comeback in the way they did versus New Zealand. And for all England’s last-quarter improvement, there still exists a distance to travel before the national side can be assured of standing up to the world's top team with all at stake.

Home Nations' Tests

Defeating an improving Fiji proved tricky enough on Saturday although the upcoming showdown against the the Kiwis will be the contest that accurately reflects their autumn. The visitors are definitely still beatable, particularly without an influential back in their midfield, but when it comes to taking their chances they remain a cut above the majority of the home unions.

Scotland were particularly guilty of missing the chance to secure the killing points and question marks still hang over England’s perfect backline combination. It is fine finishing games strongly – and far superior than succumbing at the death – but their commendable nine-match unbeaten run this year has so far featured only one win over elite-level teams, a close result over the French in February.

Future Prospects

Thus the weight of this coming Saturday. Interpreting the signals it would appear various alterations are anticipated in the starting lineup, with established stars being reinstated to the team. In the pack, similarly, regular starters should return from the beginning.

Yet everything is relative, in rugby as in reality. In the lead-up to the 2027 World Cup the {rest