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Some victories deliver double weight in the lesson they convey. Among the flurry of weekend international rugby fixtures, it was Saturday night's result in Paris that will linger most profoundly across the rugby world. Not merely the conclusion, but equally the style of success. To suggest that South Africa demolished a number of established theories would be an understatement of the season.

Unexpected Turnaround

Forget about the notion, for instance, that France would rectify the unfairness of their World Cup last-eight loss. That entering the closing stages with a narrow lead and an extra man would result in inevitable glory. Despite missing their talisman their scrum-half, they still had ample resources to keep the strong rivals at a distance.

Instead, it was a case of celebrating too soon prematurely. After being 17-13 down, the 14-man Boks ended up registering 19 consecutive points, confirming their status as a side who consistently reserve their top performance for the toughest situations. While overpowering New Zealand in Wellington in earlier this year was a message, now came clear demonstration that the leading international squad are developing an more robust mentality.

Pack Power

Actually, the coach's experienced front eight are beginning to make opposing sides look less intense by juxtaposition. Both northern hemisphere teams experienced their promising spells over the two-day period but possessed nothing like the same earthmovers that systematically dismantled the home side to landfill in the closing period. A number of talented young French forwards are coming through but, by the conclusion, the encounter was a mismatch in experience.

Even more notable was the inner fortitude driving it all. Missing Lood de Jager – issued a 38th-minute straight red for a shoulder to the head of the French full-back – the Boks could potentially become disorganized. As it happened they simply united and began dragging the disheartened French side to what an ex-France player described as “the hurt locker.”

Captaincy and Motivation

Post-game, having been hoisted around the Stade de France on the powerful backs of the lock pairing to celebrate his hundredth Test, the South African skipper, the flanker, repeatedly emphasized how a significant number of his squad have been required to conquer off-field adversity and how he wished his squad would similarly continue to encourage others.

The perceptive a commentator also made an perceptive observation on sports media, suggesting that his results increasingly make him the parallel figure of the legendary football manager. If South Africa do go on to win a third successive World Cup there will be complete assurance. Even if they come up short, the smart way in which Erasmus has refreshed a possibly veteran roster has been an object lesson to everyone.

Young Stars

Consider his emerging number 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who sprinted past for the closing score that decisively broke the opposition line. Or Grant Williams, another backline player with blistering pace and an keener ability to spot openings. Of course it is an advantage to operate behind a gargantuan pack, with André Esterhuizen adding physicality, but the ongoing metamorphosis of the South African team from scowling heavyweights into a squad who can also float like butterflies and deliver telling blows is remarkable.

Glimpses of French Quality

However, it should not be thought that the home side were totally outclassed, in spite of their limp finish. The wing's additional score in the far side was a good illustration. The set-piece strength that occupied the South African pack, the excellent wide ball from Ramos and the try-scorer's execution into the perimeter signage all displayed the characteristics of a side with notable skill, despite missing Dupont.

Yet that in the end was inadequate, which really is a daunting prospect for everybody else. It is inconceivable, for example, that the Scottish side could have fallen behind by 17 points to the Springboks and mounted a comeback in the way they did versus New Zealand. Notwithstanding England’s last-quarter improvement, there remains a distance to travel before the England team can be assured of competing with Erasmus’s green-clad giants with all at stake.

Home Nations' Tests

Beating an Pacific Island team posed difficulties on Saturday although the forthcoming clash against the All Blacks will be the match that accurately reflects their autumn. The visitors are definitely still beatable, particularly without their key midfielder in their midfield, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they are still a level above the majority of the home unions.

The Thistles were especially culpable of failing to hammer home the final nails and doubts still hang over England’s ideal backline blend. It is fine ending matches well – and infinitely better than losing them late on – but their admirable undefeated streak this year has so far included just a single victory over world-class sides, a one-point home victory over the French in February.

Next Steps

Therefore the significance of this next weekend. Analyzing the situation it would look like a number of adjustments are expected in the team selection, with key players being reinstated to the lineup. Among the forwards, likewise, familiar faces should be included from the beginning.

Yet everything is relative, in rugby as in life. Between now and the 2027 World Cup the {rest