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Some victories send twofold weight in the message they communicate. Among the barrage of weekend Test matches, it was Saturday night's score in the French capital that will linger most profoundly across both hemispheres. Not only the final score, but also the approach of success. To say that the Springboks overturned a number of widely-held assumptions would be an understatement of the rugby year.

Surprising Comeback

Forget about the notion, for instance, that France would rectify the unfairness of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. That entering the final quarter with a slight advantage and an numerical superiority would translate into inevitable glory. Despite missing their talisman Antoine Dupont, they still had sufficient resources to contain the big beasts safely at bay.

As it turned out, it was a case of counting their poulets prematurely. After being 17-13 down, the reduced Springboks concluded with racking up 19 points without reply, confirming their status as a side who consistently save their best for the most demanding circumstances. If defeating the All Blacks by a large margin in September was a declaration, this was clear demonstration that the top-ranked team are cultivating an even thicker skin.

Set-Piece Superiority

In fact, the coach's experienced front eight are beginning to make opposing sides look less intense by comparison. The Scottish and English sides experienced their moments over the weekend but did not have the same dominant forwards that thoroughly overwhelmed France to landfill in the final thirty minutes. Several up-and-coming young French forwards are coming through but, by the end, Saturday night was a mismatch in experience.

What was perhaps even more striking was the mental strength underpinning it all. Missing Lood de Jager – shown a 38th-minute straight red for a dangerous contact of the opposition kicker – the Springboks could potentially faltered. As it happened they simply regrouped and proceeded to dragging the demoralized boys in blue to what an ex-France player described as “the hurt locker.”

Guidance and Example

Following the match, having been hoisted around the Stade de France on the immense frames of two key forwards to honor his hundredth Test, the South African skipper, the flanker, repeatedly stressed how several of his squad have been required to overcome personal challenges and how he wished his team would likewise continue to motivate people.

The perceptive a commentator also made an shrewd point on sports media, proposing that Erasmus’s record progressively make him the rugby's version of Sir Alex Ferguson. In the event that the world champions succeed in win a third successive World Cup there will be complete assurance. Should they come up short, the intelligent way in which the coach has revitalized a potentially ageing team has been an masterclass to other teams.

Young Stars

Look no further than his young playmaker the rising star who darted through for the closing score that properly blew open the home defense. Additionally Grant Williams, a second backline player with lightning acceleration and an even sharper vision for space. Of course it is an advantage to have the support of a massive forward unit, with the inside back providing support, but the continuing evolution of the Springboks from physically imposing units into a side who can also move with agility and strike decisively is remarkable.

Glimpses of French Quality

Which is not to say that France were utterly overwhelmed, in spite of their limp finish. Their winger's second try in the wing area was a prime instance. The power up front that tied in the South African pack, the glorious long pass from the full-back and the try-scorer's execution into the sideline boards all displayed the characteristics of a squad with significant talent, without their captain.

But even that turned out to be not enough, which truly represents a sobering thought for competing teams. It is inconceivable, for instance, that Scotland could have fallen behind by 17 points to South Africa and fought back in the way they did in their fixture. Despite the English team's last-quarter improvement, there still exists a journey ahead before Steve Borthwick’s squad can be assured of facing the world's top team with all at stake.

European Prospects

Overcoming an Pacific Island team was challenging on match day although the upcoming showdown against the New Zealand will be the contest that truly shapes their November Tests. The visitors are certainly vulnerable, notably absent their key midfielder in their midfield, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they are still a cut above the majority of the northern hemisphere teams.

The Thistles were especially culpable of missing the chance to secure the decisive blows and doubts still hang over the red rose's ideal backline blend. It is acceptable ending matches well – and infinitely better than succumbing at the death – but their notable winning sequence this year has so far shown just one success over elite-level teams, a close result over Les Bleus in February.

Looking Ahead

Hence the significance of this next weekend. Reading between the lines it would seem a number of adjustments are expected in the matchday squad, with key players coming back to the team. In the pack, similarly, familiar faces should be included from the outset.

But perspective matters, in competition as in existence. In the lead-up to the next global tournament the {rest