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Certain wins deliver dual significance in the message they communicate. Within the flurry of weekend rugby Tests, it was Saturday night's result in the French capital that will linger most enduringly across both hemispheres. Not merely the conclusion, but equally the style of achievement. To suggest that South Africa demolished various comfortable theories would be an oversimplification of the season.

Surprising Comeback

Forget about the idea, for example, that the French team would rectify the unfairness of their World Cup elimination. The belief that entering the final quarter with a narrow lead and an additional player would result in assumed success. That even without their talisman Antoine Dupont, they still had sufficient resources to keep the big beasts safely at bay.

On the contrary, it was a case of assuming victory before time. After being behind on the scoreboard, the 14-man Boks concluded with registering 19 consecutive points, strengthening their reputation as a side who consistently save their best for the most demanding situations. While overpowering New Zealand in Wellington in earlier this year was a message, this was definitive evidence that the world’s No 1 side are cultivating an greater resilience.

Forward Dominance

If anything, the coach's experienced front eight are increasingly make opposing sides look less intense by contrast. Both northern hemisphere teams experienced their moments over the two-day period but lacked entirely the same dominant forwards that effectively reduced France to rubble in the final thirty minutes. A number of talented young France's pack members are coming through but, by the final whistle, Saturday night was hommes contre garçons.

Even more notable was the inner fortitude driving it all. In the absence of their lock forward – issued a red card in the first half for a high tackle of the French full-back – the Boks could easily have faltered. On the contrary they just regrouped and began pulling the disheartened home team to what an ex-France player referred to as “a place of suffering.”

Captaincy and Motivation

Afterwards, having been borne aloft around the venue on the gigantic shoulders of the lock pairing to mark his hundredth Test, the Springbok captain, the flanker, repeatedly highlighted how many of his players have been obliged to conquer personal challenges and how he wished his squad would in the same way continue to inspire others.

The ever-sage a commentator also made an astute observation on television, proposing that his results more and more make him the parallel figure of the Manchester United great. In the event that the world champions manage to claim a third straight world title there will be absolute certainty. Even if they come up short, the intelligent way in which the coach has refreshed a experienced squad has been an exemplary model to other teams.

Young Stars

Consider his 23-year-old fly-half the newcomer who darted through for the late try that decisively broke the French windows. And also Grant Williams, a further backline player with blistering pace and an keener eye for a gap. Naturally it helps to have the support of a dominant set of forwards, with the powerful center providing support, but the steady transformation of the Springboks from physically imposing units into a squad who can also float like butterflies and strike decisively is remarkable.

French Flashes

This is not to imply that France were utterly overwhelmed, despite their limp finish. Their winger's additional score in the wing area was a prime instance. The set-piece strength that occupied the visiting eight, the superb distribution from the full-back and the try-scorer's execution into the advertising hoardings all demonstrated the traits of a team with notable skill, even in the absence of Dupont.

But even that in the end was insufficient, which is a daunting prospect for everybody else. It is inconceivable, for instance, that the Scottish side could have trailed heavily to South Africa and fought back in the way they did in their fixture. Notwithstanding the English team's strong finish, there remains a gap to close before the national side can be assured of standing up to the world's top team with everything on the line.

Home Nations' Tests

Defeating an improving Fiji posed difficulties on match day although the upcoming showdown against the All Blacks will be the fixture that properly defines their November Tests. The All Blacks are definitely still beatable, notably absent Jordie Barrett in their backline, but when it comes to taking their chances they remain a level above most the northern hemisphere teams.

The Scottish team were especially culpable of failing to hammer home the decisive blows and question marks still surround the red rose's ideal backline blend. It is all very well ending matches well – and infinitely better than losing them late on – but their commendable undefeated streak this year has so far shown just one success over top-drawer opposition, a one-point home victory over Les Bleus in February.

Looking Ahead

Hence the importance of this upround. Analyzing the situation it would appear several changes are likely in the matchday squad, with experienced individuals coming back to the team. Up front, in the same way, familiar faces should return from the start.

However context is key, in rugby as in life. In the lead-up to the upcoming world championship the {rest