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Certain wins send dual significance in the message they communicate. Within the flurry of weekend Test matches, it was Saturday night's outcome in the French capital that will linger longest across both hemispheres. Not only the end result, but the way the style of victory. To suggest that the Springboks demolished several widely-held beliefs would be an modest description of the rugby year.

Unexpected Turnaround

Forget about the notion, for instance, that France would avenge the disappointment of their World Cup elimination. Assuming that going into the last period with a slight advantage and an additional player would lead to inevitable glory. Despite missing their talisman Antoine Dupont, they still had more than enough resources to keep the big beasts under control.

Instead, it was a case of counting their poulets prematurely. After being behind on the scoreboard, the South African side with a player sent off concluded with racking up 19 points without reply, confirming their status as a side who consistently reserve their top performance for the most demanding situations. If beating New Zealand 43-10 in September was a message, here was conclusive proof that the top-ranked team are developing an even thicker skin.

Pack Power

If anything, the coach's champion Bok forwards are beginning to make all other teams look less committed by juxtaposition. Both northern hemisphere teams both had their promising spells over the recent fixtures but lacked entirely the same dominant forwards that effectively reduced the home side to ruins in the final thirty minutes. Several up-and-coming young home nation players are emerging but, by the conclusion, Saturday night was men against boys.

Even more notable was the mental strength driving it all. In the absence of the second-rower – issued a red card in the first half for a dangerous contact of the opposition kicker – the Springboks could easily have faltered. As it happened they simply united and began taking the demoralized French side to what one former French international described as “the hurt locker.”

Captaincy and Motivation

Following the match, having been borne aloft around the Stade de France on the powerful backs of Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman to celebrate his hundredth Test, the Springbok captain, Siya Kolisi, once again highlighted how a significant number of his team have been required to overcome life difficulties and how he hoped his team would in the same way continue to motivate fans.

The perceptive David Flatman also made an perceptive comment on television, suggesting that his results more and more make him the rugby coaching equivalent of Sir Alex Ferguson. If South Africa manage to secure another global trophy there will be no doubt whatsoever. Should they fall short, the intelligent way in which the coach has rejuvenated a potentially ageing roster has been an masterclass to all.

Emerging Talent

Consider his 23-year-old fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who darted through for the decisive touchdown that decisively broke the French windows. And also another half-back, a second half-back with lightning acceleration and an more acute eye for a gap. Naturally it helps to have the support of a gargantuan pack, with the powerful center riding shotgun, but the steady transformation of the South African team from physically imposing units into a squad who can also display finesse and strike decisively is remarkable.

Home Side's Moments

However, it should not be thought that the French team were utterly overwhelmed, in spite of their weak ending. Their winger's later touchdown in the far side was a prime instance. The set-piece strength that tied in the Bok forwards, the excellent wide ball from the full-back and the winger's clinical finish into the sideline boards all exhibited the traits of a side with considerable ability, despite missing their captain.

But even that in the end was insufficient, which truly represents a sobering thought for all other nations. There is no way, for example, that the Scottish side could have trailed heavily to South Africa and mounted a comeback in the way they did against the All Blacks. Despite the red rose's last-quarter improvement, there remains a journey ahead before Steve Borthwick’s squad can be confident of facing Erasmus’s green-clad giants with everything on the line.

Home Nations' Tests

Overcoming an developing Fijian side was challenging on match day although the forthcoming clash against the New Zealand will be the fixture that properly defines their November Tests. The All Blacks are certainly vulnerable, especially missing an influential back in their backline, but when it comes to capitalizing on opportunities they are still a level above the majority of the home unions.

The Scottish team were especially culpable of failing to hammer home the final nails and question marks still apply to England’s perfect backline combination. It is fine finishing games strongly – and infinitely better than fading in the closing stages – but their commendable winning sequence this year has so far shown just one success over elite-level teams, a one-point home victory over France in earlier in the year.

Next Steps

Hence the weight of this coming Saturday. Interpreting the signals it would appear several changes are likely in the matchday squad, with established stars coming back to the lineup. Up front, in the same way, regular starters should return from the beginning.

Yet context is key, in sport as in reality. From now until the 2027 World Cup the {rest