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Some victories carry twofold significance in the lesson they communicate. Amid the flood of weekend Test matches, it was the Saturday evening outcome in Paris that will linger most profoundly across the globe. Not just the end result, but also the style of achievement. To suggest that the Springboks shattered a number of established beliefs would be an modest description of the season.

Surprising Comeback

Forget about the notion, for instance, that the French team would avenge the disappointment of their World Cup elimination. That entering the last period with a small margin and an numerical superiority would lead to certain victory. Even in the absence of their key player their captain, they still had more than enough strategies to contain the strong rivals under control.

As it turned out, it was a case of assuming victory prematurely. Having been behind on the scoreboard, the South African side with a player sent off concluded with scoring 19 unanswered points, strengthening their status as a squad who more and more reserve their top performance for the most demanding circumstances. Whereas defeating the All Blacks by a large margin in earlier this year was a declaration, here was clear demonstration that the leading international squad are cultivating an more robust mentality.

Forward Dominance

If anything, Erasmus's champion Bok forwards are starting to make everyone else look laissez-faire by juxtaposition. The Scottish and English sides each enjoyed their periods of promise over the weekend but possessed nothing like the same powerful carriers that thoroughly overwhelmed the French pack to landfill in the final thirty minutes. Several up-and-coming young French forwards are coming through but, by the end, the match was men against boys.

Even more notable was the mental strength supporting it all. In the absence of the second-rower – shown a 38th-minute straight red for a dangerous contact of Thomas Ramos – the Springboks could might well have become disorganized. Instead they just regrouped and proceeded to taking the demoralized boys in blue to what a retired hooker described as “extreme physical pressure.”

Captaincy and Motivation

Following the match, having been borne aloft around the Stade de France on the immense frames of two key forwards to mark his 100th cap, the Springbok captain, Siya Kolisi, yet again highlighted how many of his players have been needed to rise above life difficulties and how he aspired his side would similarly continue to inspire others.

The insightful an analyst also made an shrewd comment on broadcast, stating that his results progressively make him the rugby's version of the Manchester United great. If South Africa do go on to claim a third straight world title there will be complete assurance. In case they come up short, the intelligent way in which the mentor has revitalized a experienced squad has been an exemplary model to other teams.

Emerging Talent

Look no further than his 23-year-old fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who skipped over for the decisive touchdown that effectively shattered the opposition line. And also the scrum-half, a further backline player with explosive speed and an even sharper vision for space. Undoubtedly it is an advantage to play behind a massive forward unit, with the powerful center adding physicality, but the continuing evolution of the Springboks from intimidating giants into a team who can also display finesse and sting like bees is remarkable.

French Flashes

However, it should not be thought that the home side were totally outclassed, in spite of their fading performance. Damian Penaud’s later touchdown in the wing area was a prime instance. The forward dominance that engaged the South African pack, the glorious long pass from Ramos and Penaud’s finishing dive into the perimeter signage all displayed the characteristics of a squad with notable skill, without Dupont.

Yet that ultimately proved not enough, which is a sobering thought for competing teams. It would be impossible, for instance, that the Scottish side could have fallen behind by 17 points to South Africa and mounted a comeback in the way they did in their fixture. And for all England’s last-quarter improvement, there still exists a journey ahead before Steve Borthwick’s squad can be assured of competing with Erasmus’s green-clad giants with high stakes.

Home Nations' Tests

Overcoming an Pacific Island team posed difficulties on Saturday although the next encounter against the New Zealand will be the match that properly defines their autumn. The All Blacks are not invincible, particularly without their key midfielder in their center, but when it comes to capitalizing on opportunities they are still a step ahead most the northern hemisphere teams.

The Scottish team were especially culpable of missing the chance to secure the killing points and uncertainties still apply to England’s optimal back division. It is fine performing in the final quarter – and far superior than fading in the closing stages – but their commendable winning sequence this year has so far included just a single victory over top-drawer opposition, a narrow win over France in the winter.

Looking Ahead

Therefore the importance of this coming Saturday. Interpreting the signals it would appear a number of adjustments are likely in the matchday squad, with experienced individuals being reinstated to the side. Among the forwards, likewise, regular starters should all be back from the beginning.

Yet everything is relative, in competition as in existence. In the lead-up to the next global tournament the {rest