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Some victories deliver twofold weight in the message they convey. Among the flood of weekend rugby Tests, it was the Saturday evening outcome in Paris that will linger longest across the globe. Not merely the end result, but equally the manner of victory. To say that South Africa demolished several comfortable theories would be an understatement of the season.

Shifting Momentum

Discard the theory, for example, that the French team would make amends for the unfairness of their World Cup last-eight loss. The belief that entering the last period with a narrow lead and an extra man would translate into inevitable glory. That even without their key player their scrum-half, they still had sufficient tranquiliser darts to restrain the powerful opponents safely at bay.

Instead, it was a case of counting their poulets prematurely. After being 17-13 down, the South African side with a player sent off ended up registering 19 consecutive points, confirming their reputation as a squad who increasingly save their best for the toughest situations. If defeating the All Blacks by a large margin in the last quarter was a statement, here was definitive evidence that the leading international squad are developing an even thicker skin.

Pack Power

If anything, Rassie Erasmus’s title-winning pack are increasingly make opposing sides look less intense by contrast. Both northern hemisphere teams experienced their periods of promise over the recent fixtures but lacked entirely the same powerful carriers that thoroughly overwhelmed the home side to landfill in the last half-hour. Some promising young French forwards are coming through but, by the final whistle, Saturday night was hommes contre garçons.

What was perhaps even more striking was the inner fortitude underpinning it all. Without their lock forward – issued a 38th-minute straight red for a high tackle of the opposition kicker – the Boks could potentially lost their composure. Instead they merely united and proceeded to taking the demoralized home team to what one former French international called “extreme physical pressure.”

Leadership and Inspiration

Following the match, having been hoisted around the Parisian stadium on the gigantic shoulders of the lock pairing to mark his hundredth Test, the Springbok captain, Siya Kolisi, yet again emphasized how many of his squad have been obliged to overcome life difficulties and how he wished his squad would similarly continue to motivate others.

The insightful David Flatman also made an astute comment on sports media, proposing that his results more and more make him the rugby coaching equivalent of the legendary football manager. Should the Springboks manage to win a third successive World Cup there will be absolute certainty. In case they fall short, the clever way in which Erasmus has rejuvenated a potentially ageing team has been an object lesson to all.

Young Stars

Consider his 23-year-old fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who skipped over for the decisive touchdown that effectively shattered the home defense. And also another half-back, a further half-back with explosive speed and an even sharper ability to spot openings. Naturally it is an advantage to operate behind a gargantuan pack, with André Esterhuizen riding shotgun, but the continuing evolution of the Boks from physically imposing units into a team who can also move with agility and strike decisively is extraordinary.

Glimpses of French Quality

Which is not to say that the French team were totally outclassed, in spite of their weak ending. Their winger's later touchdown in the right corner was a good illustration. The set-piece strength that engaged the South African pack, the superb distribution from Ramos and the winger's clinical finish into the perimeter signage all demonstrated the hallmarks of a squad with considerable ability, even in the absence of their captain.

But even that turned out to be insufficient, which truly represents a sobering thought for all other nations. It is inconceivable, for instance, that the visitors could have gone 17-0 down to the Springboks and fought back in the way they did versus New Zealand. Notwithstanding England’s strong finish, there is a journey ahead before the national side can be assured of competing with the South African powerhouses with high stakes.

Northern Hemisphere Challenges

Defeating an Pacific Island team was challenging on Saturday although the forthcoming clash against the All Blacks will be the fixture that truly shapes their November Tests. New Zealand are certainly vulnerable, especially missing an influential back in their backline, but when it comes to taking their chances they are still a level above the majority of the northern hemisphere teams.

The Scottish team were especially culpable of missing the chance to secure the decisive blows and doubts still apply to England’s optimal back division. It is acceptable ending matches well – and infinitely better than losing them late on – but their commendable undefeated streak this year has so far shown just one success over top-drawer opposition, a narrow win over Les Bleus in February.

Next Steps

Hence the importance of this coming Saturday. Interpreting the signals it would look like various alterations are anticipated in the matchday squad, with experienced individuals being reinstated to the lineup. Up front, similarly, first-choice players should return from the outset.

However perspective matters, in sport as in reality. In the lead-up to the 2027 World Cup the {rest