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A number of triumphs send double weight in the lesson they broadcast. Among the barrage of weekend rugby Tests, it was the Saturday evening outcome in Paris that will echo most profoundly across both hemispheres. Not only the final score, but equally the manner of success. To say that the Springboks overturned a number of comfortable theories would be an oversimplification of the rugby year.

Surprising Comeback

Discard the idea, for instance, that France would avenge the disappointment of their World Cup last-eight loss. That entering the final quarter with a slight advantage and an numerical superiority would result in inevitable glory. Even in the absence of their star man Antoine Dupont, they still had sufficient tranquiliser darts to contain the strong rivals safely at bay.

On the contrary, it was a case of celebrating too soon too early. Having been trailing by four points, the reduced Springboks ended up racking up 19 points without reply, reinforcing their standing as a squad who increasingly deliver their finest rugby for the toughest situations. While defeating the All Blacks by a large margin in the last quarter was a message, now came clear demonstration that the top-ranked team are building an even thicker skin.

Forward Dominance

In fact, the coach's title-winning pack are starting to make opposing sides look less intense by juxtaposition. The Scottish and English sides each enjoyed their periods of promise over the weekend but did not have the same earthmovers that effectively reduced France to rubble in the final thirty minutes. Some promising young French forwards are emerging but, by the conclusion, the encounter was men against boys.

Even more notable was the mental strength driving it all. Without their lock forward – shown a 38th-minute straight red for a dangerous contact of Thomas Ramos – the Springboks could potentially become disorganized. As it happened they simply circled the wagons and began dragging the deflated home team to what a retired hooker called “a place of suffering.”

Leadership and Inspiration

Following the match, having been carried around the Parisian stadium on the gigantic shoulders of the lock pairing to honor his hundredth Test, the South African skipper, the flanker, yet again stressed how a significant number of his squad have been needed to rise above personal challenges and how he hoped his squad would in the same way continue to motivate fans.

The ever-sage an analyst also made an shrewd comment on television, stating that his results more and more make him the rugby coaching equivalent of Sir Alex Ferguson. In the event that the world champions manage to claim a third straight world title there will be no doubt whatsoever. Should they fall short, the clever way in which the mentor has rejuvenated a experienced team has been an object lesson to all.

Emerging Talent

Take for example his young playmaker the rising star who skipped over for the late try that effectively shattered the home defense. Or the scrum-half, a further playmaker with lightning acceleration and an keener vision for space. Of course it is beneficial to have the support of a gargantuan pack, with the powerful center riding shotgun, but the steady transformation of the South African team from intimidating giants into a team who can also display finesse and sting like bees is extraordinary.

French Flashes

This is not to imply that the French team were utterly overwhelmed, in spite of their fading performance. The wing's additional score in the wing area was a good illustration. The set-piece strength that engaged the visiting eight, the glorious long pass from the playmaker and the winger's clinical finish into the sideline boards all displayed the traits of a squad with considerable ability, despite missing their star man.

Yet that in the end was insufficient, which is a daunting prospect for competing teams. It is inconceivable, for example, that the Scottish side could have fallen behind by 17 points to the world champions and come galloping back in the way they did against the All Blacks. Despite the English team's strong finish, there is a gap to close before the England team can be certain of standing up to the world's top team with high stakes.

Home Nations' Tests

Defeating an developing Fijian side was challenging on Saturday although the forthcoming clash against the the Kiwis will be the contest that accurately reflects their November Tests. New Zealand are not invincible, particularly without an influential back in their backline, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they continue to be a step ahead most the European sides.

The Thistles were especially culpable of not finishing off the killing points and doubts still hang over the English side's optimal back division. It is fine finishing games strongly – and far superior than succumbing at the death – but their admirable nine-match unbeaten run this year has so far shown just one success over top-drawer opposition, a narrow win over France in earlier in the year.

Future Prospects

Thus the significance of this coming Saturday. Analyzing the situation it would look like various alterations are anticipated in the matchday squad, with experienced individuals being reinstated to the side. In the pack, in the same way, first-choice players should return from the beginning.

Yet context is key, in sport as in existence. Between now and the upcoming world championship the {rest