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Some victories carry twofold weight in the statement they broadcast. Amid the flurry of weekend Test matches, it was the Saturday evening outcome in the French capital that will linger most profoundly across both hemispheres. Not just the final score, but the way the manner of achievement. To say that the Springboks demolished several comfortable theories would be an understatement of the season.

Surprising Comeback

Discard the theory, for example, that the French team would avenge the injustice of their World Cup last-eight loss. The belief that entering the final quarter with a small margin and an additional player would translate into certain victory. Despite missing their key player their scrum-half, they still had ample strategies to restrain the big beasts at a distance.

Instead, it was a case of counting their poulets too early. Having been trailing by four points, the South African side with a player sent off ended up racking up 19 points without reply, strengthening their status as a side who consistently deliver their finest rugby for the most challenging circumstances. Whereas defeating the All Blacks by a large margin in earlier this year was a declaration, now came definitive evidence that the world’s No 1 side are building an greater resilience.

Set-Piece Superiority

Actually, Rassie Erasmus’s title-winning pack are beginning to make opposing sides look laissez-faire by contrast. Scotland and England each enjoyed their promising spells over the two-day period but lacked entirely the same powerful carriers that effectively reduced the French pack to rubble in the final thirty minutes. A number of talented young France's pack members are emerging but, by the conclusion, the encounter was hommes contre garçons.

Perhaps most impressive was the psychological resilience underpinning it all. Without their lock forward – shown a dismissal before halftime for a shoulder to the head of Thomas Ramos – the Springboks could easily have become disorganized. Instead they just regrouped and proceeded to taking the disheartened French side to what an ex-France player referred to as “a place of suffering.”

Captaincy and Motivation

Afterwards, having been carried around the Parisian stadium on the immense frames of the lock pairing to honor his century of appearances, the South African skipper, the flanker, repeatedly emphasized how many of his squad have been obliged to conquer life difficulties and how he aspired his side would similarly continue to encourage fans.

The insightful a commentator also made an shrewd point on television, proposing that the coach's achievements progressively make him the parallel figure of the legendary football manager. Should the Springboks do go on to secure another global trophy there will be complete assurance. Even if they fall short, the smart way in which the mentor has revitalized a possibly veteran squad has been an exemplary model to everyone.

Young Stars

Consider his young playmaker the newcomer who sprinted past for the closing score that properly blew open the French windows. Or Grant Williams, a second half-back with blistering pace and an keener eye for a gap. Of course it is beneficial to operate behind a gargantuan pack, with André Esterhuizen riding shotgun, but the steady transformation of the Springboks from intimidating giants into a squad who can also move with agility and deliver telling blows is extraordinary.

Home Side's Moments

This is not to imply that the home side were totally outclassed, notwithstanding their weak ending. The wing's second try in the far side was a good illustration. The forward dominance that engaged the South African pack, the excellent wide ball from Ramos and the winger's clinical finish into the advertising hoardings all demonstrated the traits of a side with notable skill, without their star man.

However, that in the end was inadequate, which truly represents a sobering thought for everybody else. It is inconceivable, for example, that the visitors could have trailed heavily to the Springboks and fought back in the way they did versus New Zealand. Despite the English team's late resurgence, there is a distance to travel before the national side can be assured of facing the world's top team with everything on the line.

Home Nations' Tests

Defeating an improving Fiji was challenging on match day although the forthcoming clash against the New Zealand will be the match that properly defines their November Tests. New Zealand are certainly vulnerable, especially missing an influential back in their backline, but when it comes to capitalizing on opportunities they continue to be a step ahead the majority of the European sides.

Scotland were notably at fault of failing to hammer home the decisive blows and uncertainties still apply to England’s optimal back division. It is all very well ending matches well – and far superior than succumbing at the death – but their notable nine-match unbeaten run this year has so far shown just one success over top-drawer opposition, a one-point home victory over Les Bleus in February.

Next Steps

Therefore the significance of this next weekend. Reading between the lines it would appear various alterations are expected in the starting lineup, with experienced individuals coming back to the side. In the pack, likewise, first-choice players should be included from the start.

But perspective matters, in sport as in reality. From now until the upcoming world championship the {rest