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A number of triumphs send double importance in the statement they broadcast. Amid the barrage of weekend rugby Tests, it was Saturday night's score in Paris that will resonate most profoundly across both hemispheres. Not only the conclusion, but equally the style of achievement. To suggest that the Springboks overturned several established theories would be an oversimplification of the rugby year.

Unexpected Turnaround

Discard the theory, for example, that the French team would rectify the injustice of their World Cup last-eight loss. That entering the last period with a slight advantage and an additional player would translate into assumed success. Despite missing their star man their captain, they still had ample strategies to keep the big beasts at a distance.

Instead, it was a case of counting their poulets too early. After being trailing by four points, the reduced Springboks concluded with racking up 19 points without reply, reinforcing their standing as a team who more and more deliver their finest rugby for the most demanding scenarios. If defeating the All Blacks by a large margin in the last quarter was a statement, now came conclusive proof that the leading international squad are developing an greater resilience.

Forward Dominance

Actually, the coach's title-winning pack are beginning to make everyone else look less committed by juxtaposition. The Scottish and English sides both had their moments over the weekend but possessed nothing like the same earthmovers that systematically dismantled 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 a mismatch in experience.

What was perhaps even more striking was the psychological resilience underpinning it all. Without Lood de Jager – issued a 38th-minute straight red for a high tackle of the opposition kicker – the Springboks could potentially faltered. As it happened they merely united and began pulling the disheartened home team to what an ex-France player referred to as “a place of suffering.”

Captaincy and Motivation

Post-game, having been borne aloft around the Parisian stadium on the immense frames of Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman to honor his hundredth Test, the Springbok captain, Siya Kolisi, once again stressed how several of his squad have been required to overcome off-field adversity and how he wished his team would in the same way continue to encourage people.

The perceptive David Flatman also made an perceptive observation on broadcast, proposing that Erasmus’s record more and more make him the rugby coaching equivalent of the Manchester United great. If South Africa succeed in win a third successive World Cup there will be absolute certainty. In case they fail to achieve it, the intelligent way in which Erasmus has refreshed a potentially ageing team has been an exemplary model to all.

Young Stars

Take for example his emerging number 10 the newcomer who sprinted past for the decisive touchdown that properly blew open the French windows. Or Grant Williams, another half-back with blistering pace and an even sharper ability to spot openings. Of course it is beneficial to have the support of a gargantuan pack, with the inside back riding shotgun, but the steady transformation of the Springboks from physically imposing units into a team who can also display finesse and deliver telling blows is remarkable.

Home Side's Moments

This is not to imply that France were totally outclassed, in spite of their fading performance. Their winger's later touchdown in the far side was a good illustration. The forward dominance that tied in the visiting eight, the glorious long pass from the full-back and the winger's clinical finish into the sideline boards all demonstrated the traits of a side with notable skill, despite missing their captain.

However, that turned out to be inadequate, which is a humbling reality for competing teams. It would be impossible, for instance, that the visitors could have trailed heavily to the Springboks and fought back in the way they did versus New Zealand. Despite the red rose's late resurgence, there still exists a journey ahead before the England team can be confident of standing up to Erasmus’s green-clad giants with high stakes.

Northern Hemisphere Challenges

Defeating an Pacific Island team proved tricky enough on Saturday although the forthcoming clash against the New Zealand will be the fixture that truly shapes their November Tests. The All Blacks are definitely still beatable, particularly without an influential back in their backline, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they continue to be a cut above almost all the home unions.

Scotland were particularly guilty of failing to hammer home the final nails and doubts still hang over the English side's optimal back division. It is acceptable ending matches well – and far superior than losing them late on – but their admirable nine-match unbeaten run this year has so far featured only one win over world-class sides, a narrow win over the French in earlier in the year.

Next Steps

Hence the importance of this next weekend. Analyzing the situation it would seem several changes are anticipated in the team selection, with experienced individuals returning to the team. Among the forwards, likewise, regular starters should all be back from the start.

But context is key, in competition as in existence. From now until the next global tournament the {rest