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Some victories carry dual significance in the statement they convey. Within the flurry of weekend Test matches, it was the Saturday evening score in the French capital that will resonate longest across the rugby world. Not only the conclusion, but the way the manner of success. To claim that the Springboks overturned several widely-held theories would be an modest description of the season.

Unexpected Turnaround

Forget about the idea, for example, that France would avenge the unfairness of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. The belief that entering the final quarter with a small margin and an extra man would lead to inevitable glory. Despite missing their star man Antoine Dupont, they still had more than enough resources to keep the big beasts safely at bay.

On the contrary, it was a case of counting their poulets too early. Having been behind on the scoreboard, the South African side with a player sent off concluded with scoring 19 unanswered points, strengthening their standing as a squad who more and more reserve their top performance for the most challenging circumstances. While defeating the All Blacks by a large margin in the last quarter was a declaration, here was definitive evidence that the leading international squad are building an greater resilience.

Forward Dominance

In fact, the coach's experienced front eight are starting to make all other teams look laissez-faire by contrast. The Scottish and English sides experienced their moments over the recent fixtures but possessed nothing like the same powerful carriers that effectively reduced the home side to landfill in the closing period. A number of talented young French forwards are coming through but, by the final whistle, the encounter was hommes contre garçons.

Perhaps most impressive was the mental strength underpinning it all. In the absence of their lock forward – shown a dismissal before halftime for a high tackle of the French full-back – the Springboks could might well have lost their composure. As it happened they merely united and proceeded to dragging the deflated boys in blue to what one former French international called “extreme physical pressure.”

Captaincy and Motivation

Post-game, having been borne aloft around the Parisian stadium on the powerful backs of Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman to honor his century of appearances, the Springbok captain, the flanker, yet again stressed how many of his players have been obliged to rise above personal challenges and how he wished his squad would in the same way continue to inspire people.

The ever-sage David Flatman also made an shrewd comment on television, stating that Erasmus’s record increasingly make him the parallel figure of Sir Alex Ferguson. Should the Springboks manage to secure another global trophy there will be absolute certainty. Even if they fail to achieve it, the clever way in which Erasmus has revitalized a potentially ageing team has been an masterclass to all.

Young Stars

Look no further than his emerging number 10 the rising star who sprinted past for the closing score that effectively shattered the opposition line. And also another half-back, another half-back with lightning acceleration and an more acute vision for space. Undoubtedly it helps to have the support of a gargantuan pack, with the inside back 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.

French Flashes

However, it should not be thought that the home side were totally outclassed, notwithstanding their limp finish. Damian Penaud’s additional score in the wing area was a clear example. The power up front that occupied the Bok forwards, the glorious long pass from Ramos and the try-scorer's execution into the sideline boards all demonstrated the traits of a team with significant talent, despite missing Dupont.

But even that turned out to be not enough, which really is a daunting prospect for everybody else. It would be impossible, for example, that the Scottish side could have gone 17-0 down to South Africa and come galloping back in the way they did versus New Zealand. And for all England’s late resurgence, there is a distance to travel before Steve Borthwick’s squad can be certain of standing up to the world's top team with everything on the line.

European Prospects

Beating an developing Fijian side was challenging on match day although the next encounter against the New Zealand will be the match that truly shapes their November Tests. The visitors are definitely still beatable, notably absent an influential back in their midfield, but when it comes to capitalizing on opportunities they continue to be a level above most the European sides.

The Scottish team were notably at fault of not finishing off the final nails and doubts still hang over England’s optimal back division. It is all very well ending matches well – and much preferable than fading in the closing stages – but their admirable nine-match unbeaten run 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

Thus the importance of this coming Saturday. Analyzing the situation it would look like a number of adjustments are anticipated in the matchday squad, with key players being reinstated to the side. In the pack, in the same way, regular starters should all be back from the beginning.

But everything is relative, in rugby as in reality. In the lead-up to the next global tournament the {rest