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Some victories deliver double weight in the statement they communicate. Amid the flurry of weekend Test matches, it was the Saturday evening outcome in Paris that will linger most enduringly across both hemispheres. Not merely the end result, but also the style of success. To suggest that the Springboks demolished several widely-held theories would be an modest description of the season.

Shifting Momentum

Forget about the theory, for example, that France would rectify the unfairness of their World Cup elimination. Assuming that going into the closing stages with a slight advantage and an additional player would translate into assumed success. Despite missing their key player Antoine Dupont, they still had more than enough tranquiliser darts to contain the strong rivals safely at bay.

Instead, it was a case of assuming victory too early. Initially behind on the scoreboard, the South African side with a player sent off ended up registering 19 consecutive points, reinforcing their standing as a squad who more and more reserve their top performance for the most demanding situations. Whereas defeating the All Blacks by a large margin in earlier this year was a statement, now came definitive evidence that the top-ranked team are developing an more robust mentality.

Pack Power

In fact, Rassie Erasmus’s experienced front eight are starting to make all other teams look less intense by comparison. Both northern hemisphere teams each enjoyed their promising spells over the weekend but lacked entirely the same powerful carriers that effectively reduced the French pack to ruins in the closing period. Some promising young home nation players are coming through but, by the end, the encounter was men against boys.

Even more notable was the inner fortitude underpinning it all. Without the second-rower – given a 38th-minute straight red for a dangerous contact of Thomas Ramos – the Boks could easily have become disorganized. On the contrary they simply regrouped and set about dragging the deflated boys in blue to what an ex-France player referred to as “the hurt locker.”

Guidance and Example

Post-game, having been hoisted around the Stade de France on the gigantic shoulders of the lock pairing to honor his hundredth Test, the South African skipper, the flanker, repeatedly emphasized how several of his squad have been required to overcome off-field adversity and how he aspired his squad would in the same way continue to motivate fans.

The perceptive David Flatman also made an astute observation on television, proposing that the coach's achievements more and more make him the rugby's version of the legendary football manager. If South Africa do go on to win a third successive World Cup there will be no doubt whatsoever. Should they fall short, the smart way in which Erasmus has refreshed a potentially ageing team has been an exemplary model to other teams.

Young Stars

Take for example his young playmaker the newcomer who sprinted past for the closing score that effectively shattered the home defense. Additionally the scrum-half, another playmaker with lightning acceleration and an more acute vision for space. Naturally it is an advantage to operate behind a gargantuan pack, with the inside back providing support, but the steady transformation of the South African team from scowling heavyweights into a squad who can also move with agility and strike decisively is remarkable.

Glimpses of French Quality

However, it should not be thought that the French team were totally outclassed, notwithstanding their fading performance. Damian Penaud’s later touchdown in the far side was a clear example. The forward dominance that tied in the South African pack, the glorious long pass from the playmaker and the try-scorer's execution into the perimeter signage all demonstrated the characteristics of a side with significant talent, without their captain.

However, that ultimately proved not enough, which is a sobering thought for all other nations. It would be impossible, for example, that Scotland could have fallen behind by 17 points to the world champions and mounted a comeback in the way they did versus New Zealand. And for all the red rose's strong finish, there still exists a gap to close before the England team can be assured of standing up to Erasmus’s green-clad giants with all at stake.

Home Nations' Tests

Defeating an improving Fiji proved tricky enough on the weekend although the forthcoming clash against the New Zealand will be the contest that accurately reflects their end-of-year series. The All Blacks are certainly vulnerable, notably absent an influential back in their midfield, but when it comes to taking their chances they are still a step ahead almost all the European sides.

The Scottish team were especially culpable of failing to hammer home the final nails and uncertainties still hang over England’s optimal back division. It is fine performing in the final quarter – and infinitely better than losing them late on – but their notable undefeated streak this year has so far featured only one win over top-drawer opposition, a close result over France in earlier in the year.

Next Steps

Hence the significance of this upround. Interpreting the signals it would seem various alterations are anticipated in the team selection, with established stars coming back to the team. Up front, likewise, first-choice players should return from the outset.

However context is key, in rugby as in existence. Between now and the 2027 World Cup the {rest