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Certain wins carry twofold weight in the message they communicate. Among the barrage of weekend international rugby fixtures, it was Saturday night's score in the French capital that will echo most profoundly across the rugby world. Not merely the end result, but also the approach of success. To suggest that the Springboks demolished a number of widely-held theories would be an oversimplification of the calendar.

Surprising Comeback

Discard the notion, for instance, that the French team would rectify the injustice of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. The belief that entering the final quarter with a small margin and an extra man would result in certain victory. Even in the absence of their star man their scrum-half, they still had sufficient tranquiliser darts to contain the strong rivals safely at bay.

As it turned out, it was a case of counting their poulets before time. Having been behind on the scoreboard, the South African side with a player sent off ended up registering 19 consecutive points, confirming their reputation as a side who more and more save their best for the most demanding situations. While overpowering New Zealand in Wellington in the last quarter was a message, here was definitive evidence that the top-ranked team are building an more robust mentality.

Pack Power

In fact, the coach's champion Bok forwards are starting to make everyone else look less committed by juxtaposition. Scotland and England each enjoyed their moments over the weekend but lacked entirely the same powerful carriers that systematically dismantled the home side to landfill in the last half-hour. Several up-and-coming young France's pack members are coming through but, by the conclusion, the match was hommes contre garçons.

What was perhaps even more striking was the psychological resilience driving it all. Without their lock forward – issued a dismissal before halftime for a shoulder to the head of the French full-back – the Boks could easily have lost their composure. On the contrary they merely united and began taking the disheartened home team to what an ex-France player called “the hurt locker.”

Guidance and Example

Post-game, having been hoisted around the Stade de France on the powerful backs of Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman to mark his 100th cap, the team leader, the inspirational figure, repeatedly stressed how many of his players have been needed to rise above personal challenges and how he wished his side would similarly continue to inspire others.

The perceptive a commentator also made an shrewd observation on television, suggesting that his results progressively make him the rugby coaching equivalent of the legendary football manager. 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 intelligent way in which the coach has refreshed a potentially ageing team has been an object lesson to everyone.

Young Stars

Look no further than his young playmaker Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who darted through for the late try that effectively shattered the opposition line. Additionally the scrum-half, another backline player with explosive speed and an even sharper ability to spot openings. Of course it helps to operate behind a dominant set of forwards, with André Esterhuizen riding shotgun, but the continuing evolution of the South African team from physically imposing units into a team who can also float like butterflies and strike decisively is extraordinary.

French Flashes

However, it should not be thought that France were completely dominated, despite their weak ending. The wing's additional score in the far side was a good illustration. The set-piece strength that tied in the Bok forwards, the excellent wide ball from the full-back and Penaud’s finishing dive into the sideline boards all exhibited the characteristics of a squad with significant talent, without their star man.

Yet that in the end was inadequate, which is a daunting prospect for all other nations. It is inconceivable, for example, that the visitors could have fallen behind by 17 points to South Africa and fought back in the way they did versus New Zealand. Notwithstanding England’s strong finish, there remains a distance to travel before the England team can be assured of standing up to the South African powerhouses with all at stake.

European Prospects

Defeating an improving Fiji posed difficulties on the weekend although the upcoming showdown against the New Zealand will be the fixture that accurately reflects their autumn. The visitors are certainly vulnerable, especially missing their key midfielder in their midfield, but when it comes to capitalizing on opportunities they remain a cut above almost all the northern hemisphere teams.

Scotland were notably at fault of not finishing off the decisive blows and doubts still hang over England’s optimal back division. It is fine performing in the final quarter – and far superior than succumbing at the death – but their commendable nine-match unbeaten run this year has so far included just a single victory over top-drawer opposition, a one-point home victory over Les Bleus in earlier in the year.

Looking Ahead

Thus the importance of this next weekend. Analyzing the situation it would appear a number of adjustments are expected in the starting lineup, with key players being reinstated to the team. In the pack, similarly, first-choice players should be included from the beginning.

But perspective matters, in sport as in life. Between now and the 2027 World Cup the {rest