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Certain wins send double significance in the statement they broadcast. Amid the flood of weekend international rugby fixtures, it was the Saturday evening score in the French capital that will resonate most enduringly across both hemispheres. Not just the final score, but also the approach of achievement. To claim that South Africa overturned various established beliefs would be an understatement of the season.

Unexpected Turnaround

So much for the notion, for example, that France would rectify the disappointment of their World Cup elimination. Assuming that going into the last period with a small margin and an additional player would translate into inevitable glory. Despite missing their key player their scrum-half, they still had ample strategies to contain the big beasts at a distance.

Instead, it was a case of assuming victory prematurely. After being 17-13 down, the reduced Springboks concluded with racking up 19 points without reply, strengthening their status as a team who increasingly reserve their top performance for the toughest circumstances. If overpowering New Zealand in Wellington in the last quarter was a statement, now came clear demonstration that the world’s No 1 side are cultivating an greater resilience.

Forward Dominance

Actually, the coach's experienced front eight are beginning to make everyone else look laissez-faire by juxtaposition. Scotland and England experienced their promising spells over the weekend but possessed nothing like the same earthmovers that thoroughly overwhelmed France to ruins in the closing period. Several up-and-coming young home nation players are developing but, by the final whistle, Saturday night was hommes contre garçons.

Even more notable was the psychological resilience supporting it all. Without the second-rower – given a 38th-minute straight red for a high tackle of Thomas Ramos – the Boks could potentially become disorganized. On the contrary they merely circled the wagons and set about dragging the disheartened home team to what one former French international described as “extreme physical pressure.”

Leadership and Inspiration

Post-game, having been hoisted around the venue on the powerful backs of two key forwards to honor his hundredth Test, the team leader, the inspirational figure, repeatedly emphasized how several of his squad have been required to rise above personal challenges and how he wished his squad would similarly continue to inspire others.

The perceptive a commentator also made an astute comment on television, suggesting that Erasmus’s record increasingly make him the rugby coaching equivalent of the Manchester United great. In the event that the world champions manage to win a third successive World Cup there will be no doubt whatsoever. In case they come up short, the clever way in which the mentor has refreshed a possibly veteran roster has been an masterclass to other teams.

Emerging Talent

Consider his 23-year-old fly-half the newcomer who skipped over for the closing score that decisively broke the home defense. And also another half-back, another playmaker with lightning acceleration and an even sharper ability to spot openings. Of course it is beneficial to play behind a massive forward unit, with André Esterhuizen providing support, but the steady transformation of the Springboks from intimidating giants into a squad who can also float like butterflies and strike decisively is extraordinary.

Glimpses of French Quality

This is not to imply that the French team were completely dominated, in spite of their limp finish. Their winger's second try in the wing area was a good illustration. The power up front that engaged the Bok forwards, the glorious long pass from Ramos and Penaud’s finishing dive into the sideline boards all displayed the characteristics of a team with considerable ability, even in the absence of their star man.

However, that ultimately proved insufficient, which truly represents a humbling reality for everybody else. It would be impossible, for instance, that the Scottish side could have fallen behind by 17 points to the world champions and fought back in the way they did in their fixture. Despite the red rose's strong finish, there remains a distance to travel before the national side can be certain of competing with the world's top team with high stakes.

Home Nations' Tests

Beating an developing Fijian side posed difficulties on Saturday although the upcoming showdown against the the Kiwis will be the contest that properly defines their November Tests. The All Blacks are definitely still beatable, particularly without Jordie Barrett in their midfield, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they remain a cut above most the northern hemisphere teams.

The Scottish team were especially culpable of not finishing off the final nails and question marks still hang over the English side's perfect backline combination. It is acceptable finishing games strongly – and infinitely better than losing them late on – but their admirable undefeated streak this year has so far included just a single victory over elite-level teams, a narrow win over the French in the winter.

Next Steps

Therefore the weight of this coming Saturday. Reading between the lines it would look like a number of adjustments are expected in the matchday squad, with experienced individuals returning to the lineup. Up front, in the same way, first-choice players should be included from the start.

However context is key, in rugby as in existence. Between now and the next global tournament the {rest