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Some victories carry dual weight in the lesson they convey. Among the flood of weekend international rugby fixtures, it was the Saturday evening result in Paris that will linger most profoundly across the rugby world. Not just the final score, but also the approach of success. To say that South Africa demolished a number of widely-held assumptions would be an oversimplification of the season.

Shifting Momentum

So much for the notion, for instance, that the French team would avenge the unfairness of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. Assuming that going into the closing stages with a narrow lead and an numerical superiority would result in assumed success. That even without their talisman their captain, they still had ample tranquiliser darts to contain the big beasts at a distance.

On the contrary, it was a case of celebrating too soon before time. Initially 17-13 down, the reduced Springboks ended up scoring 19 unanswered points, confirming their status as a squad who more and more reserve their top performance for the toughest scenarios. While overpowering New Zealand in Wellington in the last quarter was a message, now came conclusive proof that the world’s No 1 side are developing an even thicker skin.

Forward Dominance

Actually, the coach's champion Bok forwards are starting to make everyone else look less intense by comparison. The Scottish and English sides experienced their promising spells over the recent fixtures but did not have the same powerful carriers that thoroughly overwhelmed the home side to landfill in the last half-hour. A number of talented young France's pack members are emerging but, by the conclusion, the match was a mismatch in experience.

Even more notable was the inner fortitude driving it all. Without Lood de Jager – given a 38th-minute straight red for a shoulder to the head of the opposition kicker – the Boks could potentially lost their composure. As it happened they simply regrouped and proceeded to dragging the deflated French side to what an ex-France player called “a place of suffering.”

Leadership and Inspiration

Post-game, having been carried around the Parisian stadium on the gigantic shoulders of two key forwards to celebrate his century of appearances, the Springbok captain, the inspirational figure, once again emphasized how several of his players have been obliged to rise above off-field adversity and how he wished his team would in the same way continue to encourage others.

The perceptive a commentator also made an shrewd observation on sports media, suggesting that his results increasingly make him the parallel figure of the Manchester United great. If South Africa succeed in win a third successive World Cup there will be no doubt whatsoever. In case they come up short, the smart way in which the coach has refreshed a experienced team has been an object lesson to everyone.

New Generation

Take for example his emerging number 10 the rising star who skipped over for the late try that properly blew open the home defense. Or the scrum-half, a further half-back with explosive speed and an even sharper ability to spot openings. Naturally it is an advantage to play behind a gargantuan pack, with André Esterhuizen providing support, but the continuing evolution of the Boks from physically imposing units into a side who can also float like butterflies and sting like bees is remarkable.

Glimpses of French Quality

However, it should not be thought that France were totally outclassed, notwithstanding their fading performance. Damian Penaud’s additional score in the right corner was a good illustration. The forward dominance that tied in the South African pack, the superb distribution from the full-back and Penaud’s finishing dive into the advertising hoardings all demonstrated the characteristics of a team with considerable ability, despite missing their captain.

Yet that in the end was insufficient, which really is a sobering thought for all other nations. There is no way, for example, that Scotland could have gone 17-0 down to the Springboks and fought back in the way they did versus New Zealand. Despite the English team's strong finish, there is a distance to travel before Steve Borthwick’s squad can be assured of facing Erasmus’s green-clad giants with high stakes.

Home Nations' Tests

Beating an improving Fiji was challenging on match day although the forthcoming clash against the the Kiwis will be the contest that properly defines their autumn. The visitors are not invincible, notably absent an influential back in their center, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they remain a level above the majority of the European sides.

The Scottish team were notably at fault of failing to hammer home the final nails and question marks still apply to England’s ideal backline blend. It is all very well performing in the final quarter – and far superior than succumbing at the death – but their commendable undefeated streak this year has so far included just a single victory over elite-level teams, a close result over the French in earlier in the year.

Next Steps

Hence the importance of this coming Saturday. Analyzing the situation it would appear a number of adjustments are expected in the matchday squad, with established stars coming back to the lineup. In the pack, in the same way, first-choice players should be included from the beginning.

Yet context is key, in sport as in life. From now until the 2027 World Cup the {rest