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Some victories send double importance in the lesson they broadcast. Amid the flood of weekend Test matches, it was Saturday night's score in the French capital that will echo longest across both hemispheres. Not only the final score, but the way the manner of victory. To suggest that the Springboks demolished a number of established theories would be an oversimplification of the season.

Shifting Momentum

So much for the theory, for example, that France would rectify the unfairness of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. That entering the closing stages with a small margin and an numerical superiority would translate into assumed success. Despite missing their star man their scrum-half, they still had ample strategies to restrain the strong rivals at a distance.

Instead, it was a case of assuming victory before time. Having been trailing by four points, the South African side with a player sent off ended up scoring 19 unanswered points, confirming their reputation as a team who increasingly save their best for the most demanding situations. If beating New Zealand 43-10 in earlier this year was a statement, here was conclusive proof that the world’s No 1 side are cultivating an more robust mentality.

Pack Power

If anything, the coach's champion Bok forwards are starting to make opposing sides look laissez-faire by comparison. Scotland and England both had their promising spells over the weekend but possessed nothing like the same powerful carriers that systematically dismantled the French pack to rubble in the closing period. A number of talented young home nation players are emerging but, by the final whistle, the match was a mismatch in experience.

What was perhaps even more striking was the mental strength underpinning it all. Without their lock forward – shown a red card in the first half for a dangerous contact of the French full-back – the South Africans could potentially lost their composure. Instead they merely regrouped and proceeded to dragging the demoralized boys in blue to what one former French international described as “the hurt locker.”

Captaincy and Motivation

Following the match, having been borne aloft around the Stade de France on the powerful backs of the lock pairing to celebrate his century of appearances, the Springbok captain, the flanker, once again emphasized how several of his squad have been obliged to overcome personal challenges and how he hoped his squad would in the same way continue to motivate people.

The insightful David Flatman also made an shrewd comment on television, proposing that Erasmus’s record progressively make him the rugby's version of Sir Alex Ferguson. Should the Springboks succeed in claim a third straight world title there will be no doubt whatsoever. Even if they fall short, the smart way in which the coach has rejuvenated a possibly veteran team has been an masterclass to all.

Young Stars

Consider his young playmaker the newcomer who skipped over for the closing score that effectively shattered the home defense. And also the scrum-half, a further half-back with explosive speed and an more acute eye for a gap. Naturally it is beneficial to have the support of a massive forward unit, with André Esterhuizen adding physicality, but the continuing evolution of the Springboks from physically imposing units into a team who can also float like butterflies and deliver telling blows is extraordinary.

French Flashes

However, it should not be thought that the home side were completely dominated, in spite of their fading performance. Their winger's additional score in the far side was a prime instance. The power up front that occupied the Bok forwards, the glorious long pass from the full-back and the try-scorer's execution into the advertising hoardings all displayed the characteristics of a team with significant talent, despite missing their star man.

Yet that ultimately proved insufficient, which truly represents a daunting prospect for competing teams. There is no way, for example, that the Scottish side could have fallen behind by 17 points to the world champions and come galloping back in the way they did in their fixture. Despite the English team's last-quarter improvement, there still exists a journey ahead before the England team can be assured of competing with the world's top team with all at stake.

European Prospects

Overcoming an Pacific Island team proved tricky enough on the weekend although the upcoming showdown against the the Kiwis will be the fixture that truly shapes their November Tests. The visitors are certainly vulnerable, especially missing Jordie Barrett in their backline, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they continue to be a cut above most the northern hemisphere teams.

The Thistles were especially culpable of not finishing off the decisive blows and uncertainties still apply to England’s perfect backline combination. It is acceptable performing in the final quarter – and infinitely better than fading in the closing stages – but their commendable winning sequence this year has so far featured only one win over elite-level teams, a close result over France in earlier in the year.

Looking Ahead

Therefore the significance of this next weekend. Analyzing the situation it would look like a number of adjustments are likely in the team selection, with experienced individuals returning to the team. Among the forwards, in the same way, familiar faces should return from the start.

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