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Certain wins deliver double importance in the message they communicate. Amid the barrage of weekend rugby Tests, it was the Saturday evening outcome in the French capital that will resonate most enduringly across the rugby world. Not just the final score, but equally the manner of success. To suggest that the Springboks demolished various established beliefs would be an modest description of the season.

Surprising Comeback

Discard the notion, for instance, that France would make amends for the unfairness of their World Cup last-eight loss. The belief that entering the last period with a small margin and an numerical superiority would result in inevitable glory. That even without their talisman their captain, they still had ample strategies to contain the big beasts at a distance.

On the contrary, it was a case of assuming victory too early. Initially behind on the scoreboard, the 14-man Boks ended up scoring 19 unanswered points, confirming their standing as a side who increasingly deliver their finest rugby for the most demanding situations. While beating New Zealand 43-10 in the last quarter was a message, here was clear demonstration that the top-ranked team are building an more robust mentality.

Pack Power

Actually, Rassie Erasmus’s title-winning pack are starting to make opposing sides look laissez-faire by contrast. The Scottish and English sides experienced their promising spells over the weekend but lacked entirely the same earthmovers that systematically dismantled the French pack to rubble in the last half-hour. A number of talented young France's pack members are coming through but, by the end, the encounter was men against boys.

Perhaps most impressive was the mental strength underpinning it all. Missing their lock forward – shown a dismissal before halftime for a shoulder to the head of the opposition kicker – the South Africans could potentially become disorganized. As it happened they merely regrouped and proceeded to pulling the disheartened boys in blue to what one former French international described as “a place of suffering.”

Captaincy and Motivation

Post-game, having been carried around the Stade de France on the gigantic shoulders of two key forwards to celebrate his 100th cap, the Springbok captain, Siya Kolisi, yet again highlighted how many of his team have been obliged to rise above off-field adversity and how he aspired his side would similarly continue to inspire people.

The perceptive an analyst also made an astute observation on sports media, suggesting that the coach's achievements more and more make him the rugby's version of the legendary football manager. In the event that the world champions succeed in secure another global trophy there will be complete assurance. Should they fail to achieve it, the intelligent way in which the mentor has refreshed a experienced team has been an exemplary model to everyone.

Emerging Talent

Look no further than his emerging number 10 the newcomer who skipped over for the closing score that properly blew open the opposition line. Or the scrum-half, a second playmaker with blistering pace and an more acute eye for a gap. Undoubtedly it is beneficial to have the support of a gargantuan pack, with André Esterhuizen adding physicality, but the continuing evolution of the Boks from physically imposing units into a squad who can also display finesse and strike decisively is remarkable.

Glimpses of French Quality

Which is not to say that France were totally outclassed, in spite of their weak ending. The wing's later touchdown in the wing area was a good illustration. The power up front that engaged the visiting eight, the glorious long pass from the playmaker and Penaud’s finishing dive into the advertising hoardings all demonstrated the traits of a squad with considerable ability, despite missing their star man.

However, that ultimately proved not enough, which truly represents a sobering thought for competing teams. It would be impossible, for instance, that the visitors could have fallen behind by 17 points to the world champions and fought back in the way they did versus New Zealand. And for all the English team's last-quarter improvement, there still exists a distance to travel before the England team can be assured of standing up to the world's top team with all at stake.

Home Nations' Tests

Overcoming an Pacific Island team posed difficulties on match day although the next encounter against the All Blacks will be the contest that accurately reflects their November Tests. The visitors are definitely still beatable, notably absent Jordie Barrett in their midfield, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they remain a step ahead most the home unions.

Scotland were especially culpable of not finishing off the decisive blows and doubts still surround England’s optimal back division. It is acceptable performing in the final quarter – and far superior than losing them late on – but their commendable nine-match unbeaten run this year has so far shown just one success over world-class sides, a one-point home victory over the French in earlier in the year.

Looking Ahead

Hence the significance of this upround. Interpreting the signals it would appear various alterations are likely in the starting lineup, with experienced individuals coming back to the side. Among the forwards, in the same way, familiar faces should be included from the outset.

However perspective matters, in sport as in reality. Between now and the next global tournament the {rest