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Certain wins carry double significance in the statement they convey. Amid the barrage of weekend rugby Tests, it was Saturday night's score in the French capital that will echo most profoundly across the rugby world. Not only the final score, but the way the approach of victory. To say that the Springboks demolished various established theories would be an understatement of the calendar.

Unexpected Turnaround

Forget about the theory, for instance, that the French team would avenge the injustice of their World Cup elimination. Assuming that going into the last period with a slight advantage and an extra man would translate into certain victory. Even in the absence of their talisman their captain, they still had sufficient strategies to restrain the strong rivals at a distance.

On the contrary, it was a case of celebrating too soon before time. Having been behind on the scoreboard, the 14-man Boks finished by scoring 19 unanswered points, strengthening their reputation as a side who increasingly deliver their finest rugby for the most demanding scenarios. While overpowering New Zealand in Wellington in earlier this year was a message, here was conclusive proof that the top-ranked team are cultivating an more robust mentality.

Forward Dominance

In fact, Rassie Erasmus’s title-winning pack are increasingly make opposing sides look less committed by contrast. Scotland and England both had their moments over the recent fixtures but did not have the same dominant forwards that systematically dismantled France to ruins in the final thirty minutes. Several up-and-coming young home nation players are coming through but, by the end, Saturday night was hommes contre garçons.

Perhaps most impressive was the inner fortitude driving it all. In the absence of their lock forward – given a 38th-minute straight red for a dangerous contact of Thomas Ramos – the South Africans could potentially become disorganized. As it happened they simply regrouped and proceeded to taking the deflated French side to what an ex-France player described as “a place of suffering.”

Leadership and Inspiration

Post-game, having been hoisted around the Parisian stadium on the immense frames of the lock pairing to honor his 100th cap, the team leader, the flanker, yet again highlighted how several of his players have been obliged to rise above life difficulties and how he wished his squad would in the same way continue to encourage people.

The ever-sage an analyst also made an shrewd comment on broadcast, stating that his results progressively make him the parallel figure of Sir Alex Ferguson. If South Africa succeed in secure another global trophy there will be absolute certainty. Should they fall short, the smart way in which the coach has refreshed a experienced squad has been an masterclass to all.

New Generation

Take for example his young playmaker Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who sprinted past for the decisive touchdown that properly blew open the opposition line. Additionally Grant Williams, a further backline player with lightning acceleration and an keener vision for space. Of course it is an advantage to play behind a dominant set of forwards, with the inside back adding physicality, but the ongoing metamorphosis of the Springboks from intimidating giants into a side who can also move with agility and deliver telling blows is remarkable.

French Flashes

This is not to imply that the French team were totally outclassed, in spite of their weak ending. Damian Penaud’s additional score in the far side was a clear example. The power up front that engaged the visiting eight, the superb distribution from Ramos and the try-scorer's execution into the advertising hoardings all exhibited the hallmarks of a side with notable skill, even in the absence of Dupont.

However, that in the end was insufficient, which truly represents a humbling reality for competing teams. It is inconceivable, for example, that Scotland could have trailed heavily to the world champions and come galloping back in the way they did against the All Blacks. Despite the red rose's last-quarter improvement, there remains a gap to close before the national side can be confident of standing up to the South African powerhouses with all at stake.

Home Nations' Tests

Defeating an improving Fiji proved tricky enough on match day although the forthcoming clash against the the Kiwis will be the fixture that properly defines their end-of-year series. The visitors are definitely still beatable, particularly without an influential back in their midfield, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they remain a step ahead almost all the northern hemisphere teams.

The Thistles were notably at fault of missing the chance to secure the killing points and question marks still hang over England’s optimal back division. It is fine performing in the final quarter – and infinitely better than losing them late on – but their commendable undefeated streak this year has so far included just a single victory over elite-level teams, a one-point home victory over France in the winter.

Future Prospects

Therefore the importance of this next weekend. Interpreting the signals it would look like a number of adjustments are anticipated in the team selection, with experienced individuals coming back to the side. Up front, similarly, familiar faces should return from the outset.

However everything is relative, in sport as in life. Between now and the upcoming world championship the {rest