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Some victories carry double importance in the statement they broadcast. Among the flood of weekend international rugby fixtures, it was Saturday night's outcome in the French capital that will resonate longest across the globe. Not only the conclusion, but also the style of achievement. To suggest that the Springboks shattered several comfortable beliefs would be an understatement of the calendar.

Shifting Momentum

Discard the idea, for example, that the French team would make amends for the disappointment of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. The belief that entering the closing stages with a narrow lead and an numerical superiority would lead to certain victory. Despite missing their star man their scrum-half, they still had more than enough strategies to contain the powerful opponents safely at bay.

As it turned out, it was a case of assuming victory prematurely. After being behind on the scoreboard, the 14-man Boks ended up scoring 19 unanswered points, confirming their reputation as a side who more and more deliver their finest rugby for the toughest situations. If overpowering New Zealand in Wellington in September was a statement, now came definitive evidence that the world’s No 1 side are building an more robust mentality.

Forward Dominance

Actually, Rassie Erasmus’s title-winning pack are beginning to make opposing sides look less committed by contrast. Scotland and England experienced their moments over the weekend but possessed nothing like the same powerful carriers that effectively reduced the French pack to landfill in the last half-hour. A number of talented young French forwards are emerging but, by the conclusion, the encounter was men against boys.

What was perhaps even more striking was the mental strength driving it all. Missing Lood de Jager – shown a dismissal before halftime for a high tackle of the French full-back – the South Africans could might well have become disorganized. Instead they simply united and began dragging the disheartened home team to what a retired hooker described as “a place of suffering.”

Guidance and Example

Post-game, having been borne aloft around the venue on the powerful backs of two key forwards to mark his 100th cap, the Springbok captain, the flanker, yet again emphasized how several of his squad have been obliged to conquer personal challenges and how he aspired his side would in the same way continue to encourage fans.

The ever-sage an analyst also made an astute observation on broadcast, suggesting that his results more and more make him the rugby coaching equivalent of Sir Alex Ferguson. In the event that the world champions 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 the mentor has revitalized a experienced team has been an object lesson to everyone.

New Generation

Consider his 23-year-old fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who sprinted past for the decisive touchdown that decisively broke the French windows. And also another half-back, a second playmaker with lightning acceleration and an keener ability to spot openings. Of course it is an advantage to have the support of a gargantuan pack, with the inside back riding shotgun, but the continuing evolution of the Springboks from scowling heavyweights into a side who can also float like butterflies and deliver telling blows is remarkable.

Home Side's Moments

This is not to imply that the home side were completely dominated, notwithstanding their weak ending. Damian Penaud’s additional score in the right corner was a prime instance. The set-piece strength that engaged the Bok forwards, the excellent wide ball from Ramos and Penaud’s finishing dive into the advertising hoardings all demonstrated the characteristics of a squad with notable skill, even in the absence of their star man.

Yet that ultimately proved not enough, which truly represents a sobering thought for all other nations. There is no way, for example, that Scotland could have fallen behind by 17 points to South Africa and fought back in the way they did against the All Blacks. Despite England’s late resurgence, there is a distance to travel before the national side can be assured of competing with Erasmus’s green-clad giants with all at stake.

European Prospects

Overcoming an Pacific Island team proved tricky enough on match day although the next encounter against the All Blacks will be the fixture that truly shapes their autumn. The visitors are definitely still beatable, 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 home unions.

The Scottish team were particularly guilty of not finishing off the final nails and doubts still hang over England’s optimal back division. It is acceptable performing in the final quarter – and far superior than losing them late on – but their notable winning sequence this year has so far featured only one win over top-drawer opposition, a narrow win over the French in the winter.

Future Prospects

Thus the weight of this coming Saturday. Reading between the lines it would appear various alterations are likely in the matchday squad, with experienced individuals being reinstated to the side. Up front, in the same way, familiar faces should return from the beginning.

But context is key, in sport as in reality. Between now and the upcoming world championship the {rest