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A number of triumphs send double significance in the statement they broadcast. Amid the flurry of weekend international rugby fixtures, it was Saturday night's result in the French capital that will echo most profoundly across both hemispheres. Not just the conclusion, but also the manner of success. To say that South Africa overturned various established beliefs would be an oversimplification of the season.

Shifting Momentum

Forget about the idea, for example, that France would make amends for the disappointment of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. That entering the closing stages with a slight advantage and an numerical superiority would result in inevitable glory. Even in the absence of their star man their scrum-half, they still had ample tranquiliser darts to contain the big beasts at a distance.

Instead, it was a case of counting their poulets too early. After being behind on the scoreboard, the reduced Springboks concluded with registering 19 consecutive points, reinforcing their reputation as a team who more and more save their best for the most challenging scenarios. If overpowering New Zealand in Wellington in the last quarter was a message, here was conclusive proof that the leading international squad are cultivating an greater resilience.

Forward Dominance

If anything, Erasmus's champion Bok forwards are beginning to make everyone else look less intense by comparison. Both northern hemisphere teams both had their moments over the recent fixtures but lacked entirely the same powerful carriers that systematically dismantled France to ruins in the last half-hour. Some promising young French forwards are coming through but, by the final whistle, Saturday night was men against boys.

Perhaps most impressive was the mental strength supporting it all. Missing Lood de Jager – given a red card in the first half for a shoulder to the head of Thomas Ramos – the Springboks could might well have become disorganized. On the contrary they just regrouped and set about dragging the deflated boys in blue to what a retired hooker called “a place of suffering.”

Guidance and Example

Following the match, having been borne aloft around the Stade de France on the powerful backs of Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman to mark his 100th cap, the Springbok captain, Siya Kolisi, yet again emphasized how many of his team have been required to overcome life difficulties and how he hoped his team would likewise continue to motivate people.

The insightful a commentator also made an astute point on sports media, proposing that his results more and more make him the rugby's version of the legendary football manager. Should the Springboks succeed in win a third successive World Cup there will be complete assurance. Should they come up short, the clever way in which the mentor has refreshed a experienced squad has been an object lesson to everyone.

Young Stars

Look no further than his 23-year-old fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who sprinted past for the closing score that decisively broke the opposition line. Or Grant Williams, another playmaker with blistering pace and an more acute vision for space. Of course it is an advantage to operate behind a massive forward unit, with André Esterhuizen adding physicality, but the continuing evolution of the Springboks from scowling heavyweights into a side who can also float like butterflies and strike decisively is extraordinary.

Glimpses of French Quality

However, it should not be thought that the French team were totally outclassed, in spite of their fading performance. The wing's additional score in the right corner was a prime instance. The set-piece strength that occupied the South African pack, the glorious long pass from the full-back and Penaud’s finishing dive into the advertising hoardings all exhibited the characteristics of a squad with notable skill, without their star man.

But even that ultimately proved not enough, which is a daunting prospect for everybody else. There is no way, for instance, that the visitors could have gone 17-0 down to the Springboks and fought back in the way they did versus New Zealand. And for all the red rose's last-quarter improvement, there is a distance to travel before the national side can be certain of standing up to Erasmus’s green-clad giants with everything on the line.

Home Nations' Tests

Beating an Pacific Island team posed difficulties on the weekend although the upcoming showdown against the New Zealand will be the fixture that accurately reflects their autumn. The All Blacks are not invincible, especially missing Jordie Barrett in their midfield, but when it comes to capitalizing on opportunities they are still a step ahead almost all the northern hemisphere teams.

The Scottish team were particularly guilty of not finishing off the decisive blows and doubts still apply to the English side's perfect backline combination. It is acceptable finishing games strongly – and far superior than losing them late on – but their notable winning sequence this year has so far shown just one success over elite-level teams, a narrow win over France in earlier in the year.

Looking Ahead

Therefore the weight of this coming Saturday. Interpreting the signals it would look like various alterations are expected in the matchday squad, with established stars coming back to the side. Up front, similarly, familiar faces should all be back from the start.

Yet perspective matters, in rugby as in reality. In the lead-up to the upcoming world championship the {rest