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Certain wins deliver double importance in the statement they convey. Among the flurry of weekend Test matches, it was the Saturday evening outcome in the French capital that will resonate longest across the rugby world. Not just the end result, but equally the approach of achievement. To suggest that the Springboks demolished a number of established beliefs would be an modest description of the calendar.

Surprising Comeback

Discard the theory, for instance, that the French team would make amends for the injustice of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. That entering the last period with a small margin and an numerical superiority would lead to assumed success. Even in the absence of their key player Antoine Dupont, they still had ample resources to contain the strong rivals safely at bay.

On the contrary, it was a case of counting their poulets prematurely. Having been trailing by four points, the reduced Springboks concluded with racking up 19 points without reply, strengthening their status as a side who more and more reserve their top performance for the most challenging situations. If beating New Zealand 43-10 in the last quarter was a message, here was conclusive proof that the top-ranked team are cultivating an more robust mentality.

Set-Piece Superiority

Actually, Erasmus's champion Bok forwards are starting to make everyone else look laissez-faire by comparison. Scotland and England both had their promising spells over the recent fixtures but lacked entirely the same earthmovers that effectively reduced the French pack to landfill in the final thirty minutes. Several up-and-coming young France's pack members are developing but, by the final whistle, the encounter was men against boys.

What was perhaps even more striking was the mental strength supporting it all. In the absence of the second-rower – issued a red card in the first half for a shoulder to the head of the opposition kicker – the Springboks could potentially lost their composure. As it happened they just united and began taking the disheartened French side to what a retired hooker called “a place of suffering.”

Guidance and Example

Post-game, having been hoisted around the venue on the powerful backs of Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman to mark his century of appearances, the South African skipper, the inspirational figure, repeatedly stressed how many of his players have been required to conquer off-field adversity and how he aspired his side would likewise continue to encourage others.

The perceptive a commentator also made an astute point on sports media, suggesting that the coach's achievements progressively make him the parallel figure of the legendary football manager. In the event that the world champions do go on to secure another global trophy there will be absolute certainty. Should they come up short, the clever way in which Erasmus has revitalized a potentially ageing roster has been an object lesson to other teams.

Emerging Talent

Consider his 23-year-old fly-half the rising star who darted through for the late try that decisively broke the French windows. And also Grant Williams, another playmaker with blistering pace and an more acute ability to spot openings. Undoubtedly it helps to have the support of a gargantuan pack, with André Esterhuizen adding physicality, but the continuing evolution of the Springboks from physically imposing units into a team who can also float like butterflies and sting like bees is hugely impressive.

Glimpses of French Quality

Which is not to say that the French team were utterly overwhelmed, notwithstanding their weak ending. Damian Penaud’s second try in the far side was a clear example. The set-piece strength that engaged the South African pack, the excellent wide ball from the playmaker and the try-scorer's execution into the perimeter signage all exhibited the traits of a team with significant talent, even in the absence of their captain.

However, that ultimately proved not enough, which really is a humbling reality for everybody else. There is no way, for instance, that the Scottish side could have trailed heavily to the world champions and fought back in the way they did in their fixture. Despite England’s late resurgence, there is a gap to close before the national side can be certain of standing up to the world's top team with everything on the line.

Northern Hemisphere Challenges

Overcoming an Pacific Island team proved tricky enough on Saturday although the upcoming showdown against the the Kiwis will be the contest that accurately reflects their end-of-year series. The visitors are certainly vulnerable, particularly without Jordie Barrett in their backline, but when it comes to capitalizing on opportunities they continue to be a level above almost all the home unions.

Scotland were notably at fault of not finishing off the killing points and uncertainties still hang over England’s perfect backline combination. It is acceptable performing in the final quarter – and much preferable than losing them late on – but their commendable winning sequence this year has so far included just a single victory over world-class sides, a one-point home victory over the French in the winter.

Next Steps

Therefore the weight of this coming Saturday. Reading between the lines it would appear a number of adjustments are expected in the matchday squad, with experienced individuals being reinstated to the team. Up front, in the same way, first-choice players should be included from the start.

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