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Some victories send dual weight in the lesson they broadcast. Amid the barrage of weekend Test matches, it was Saturday night's outcome in the French capital that will resonate longest across both hemispheres. Not merely the end result, but equally the style of achievement. To suggest that the Springboks overturned various comfortable theories would be an oversimplification of the season.

Shifting Momentum

Discard the notion, for example, that France would avenge the unfairness of their World Cup elimination. That entering the last period with a narrow lead and an numerical superiority would result in inevitable glory. That even without their star man Antoine Dupont, they still had sufficient strategies to restrain the powerful opponents under control.

On the contrary, it was a case of celebrating too soon before time. Initially trailing by four points, the reduced Springboks ended up racking up 19 points without reply, confirming their standing as a side who increasingly deliver their finest rugby for the most demanding scenarios. If defeating the All Blacks by a large margin in earlier this year was a message, here was conclusive proof that the leading international squad are cultivating an even thicker skin.

Pack Power

If anything, Erasmus's experienced front eight are starting to make opposing sides look laissez-faire by contrast. The Scottish and English sides each enjoyed their periods of promise over the weekend but lacked entirely the same dominant forwards that systematically dismantled the French pack to rubble in the closing period. Some promising young France's pack members are emerging but, by the end, the match was hommes contre garçons.

Even more notable was the psychological resilience supporting it all. Without Lood de Jager – given a 38th-minute straight red for a dangerous contact of the opposition kicker – the Boks could potentially lost their composure. On the contrary they merely circled the wagons and set about dragging the deflated boys in blue to what one former French international called “a place of suffering.”

Guidance and Example

Post-game, having been borne aloft around the Parisian stadium on the powerful backs of Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman to honor his 100th cap, the Springbok captain, Siya Kolisi, repeatedly highlighted how many of his players have been needed to conquer personal challenges and how he wished his squad would similarly continue to inspire fans.

The ever-sage an analyst also made an perceptive comment on sports media, stating that Erasmus’s record progressively make him the rugby's version of the legendary football manager. If South Africa manage to claim a third straight world title there will be no doubt whatsoever. Even if they come up short, the clever way in which the mentor has refreshed a experienced roster has been an masterclass to everyone.

New Generation

Consider his young playmaker Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who sprinted past for the decisive touchdown that properly blew open the French windows. Or another half-back, another half-back with explosive speed and an keener vision for space. Naturally it helps to have the support of a dominant set of forwards, with the powerful center riding shotgun, but the continuing evolution of the South African team from scowling heavyweights into a squad who can also display finesse and strike decisively is remarkable.

Home Side's Moments

Which is not to say that the home side were utterly overwhelmed, in spite of their fading performance. Damian Penaud’s second try in the right corner was a prime instance. The power up front that tied in the South African pack, the excellent wide ball from the full-back and the try-scorer's execution into the perimeter signage all displayed the characteristics of a side with significant talent, despite missing Dupont.

But even that in the end was insufficient, which is a daunting prospect for everybody else. It would be impossible, for example, that the Scottish side could have gone 17-0 down to the Springboks and come galloping back in the way they did in their fixture. Notwithstanding England’s last-quarter improvement, there remains a gap to close before Steve Borthwick’s squad can be certain of standing up to Erasmus’s green-clad giants with all at stake.

Home Nations' Tests

Overcoming an improving Fiji proved tricky enough on Saturday although the forthcoming clash against the the Kiwis will be the match that truly shapes their end-of-year series. The visitors are definitely still beatable, particularly without an influential back in their backline, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they remain a step ahead almost all the European sides.

The Scottish team were especially culpable of not finishing off the decisive blows and uncertainties still hang over England’s ideal backline blend. It is all very well finishing games strongly – and much preferable than succumbing at the death – but their notable winning sequence this year has so far featured only one win over world-class sides, a narrow win over Les Bleus in the winter.

Looking Ahead

Thus the importance of this upround. Interpreting the signals it would look like various alterations are expected in the starting lineup, with key players being reinstated to the lineup. In the pack, similarly, regular starters should all be back from the start.

But everything is relative, in competition as in life. From now until the next global tournament the {rest