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Some victories deliver double weight in the message they communicate. Among the flood of weekend international rugby fixtures, it was the Saturday evening result in Paris that will resonate longest across the rugby world. Not only the final score, but equally the manner of achievement. To suggest that the Springboks demolished a number of established beliefs would be an modest description of the season.

Unexpected Turnaround

So much for the idea, for example, that the French team would make amends for the injustice of their World Cup last-eight loss. Assuming that going into the last period with a slight advantage and an extra man would lead to inevitable glory. Despite missing their key player Antoine Dupont, they still had more than enough strategies to restrain the big beasts safely at bay.

Instead, it was a case of celebrating too soon before time. Having been trailing by four points, the 14-man Boks finished by scoring 19 unanswered points, strengthening their standing as a team who consistently deliver their finest rugby for the most challenging scenarios. Whereas overpowering New Zealand in Wellington in September was a message, now came clear demonstration that the leading international squad are developing an greater resilience.

Pack Power

Actually, the coach's champion Bok forwards are beginning to make opposing sides look laissez-faire by juxtaposition. Scotland and England experienced their moments over the weekend but possessed nothing like the same dominant forwards that systematically dismantled the French pack to rubble in the final thirty minutes. A number of talented young French forwards are developing but, by the end, Saturday night was a mismatch in experience.

Perhaps most impressive was the mental strength driving it all. In the absence of the second-rower – issued a dismissal before halftime for a dangerous contact of the French full-back – the Boks could potentially become disorganized. On the contrary they just united and began pulling the deflated boys in blue to what one former French international referred to as “extreme physical pressure.”

Captaincy and Motivation

Following the match, having been borne aloft around the Parisian stadium on the powerful backs of Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman to honor his 100th cap, the team leader, the flanker, repeatedly emphasized how a significant number of his squad have been needed to rise above off-field adversity and how he aspired his side would similarly continue to encourage others.

The ever-sage a commentator also made an shrewd point on broadcast, proposing that Erasmus’s record progressively make him the rugby coaching equivalent of the Manchester United great. If South Africa succeed in claim a third straight world title there will be complete assurance. Should they fall short, the clever way in which Erasmus has refreshed a potentially ageing team has been an masterclass to all.

Young Stars

Look no further than his emerging number 10 the newcomer who skipped over for the closing score that decisively broke the French windows. Or the scrum-half, a further backline player with lightning acceleration and an keener ability to spot openings. Naturally it is an advantage to have the support of a massive forward unit, with André Esterhuizen adding physicality, but the continuing evolution of the Boks from physically imposing units into a side who can also display finesse and sting like bees is hugely impressive.

Glimpses of French Quality

This is not to imply that France were totally outclassed, notwithstanding their limp finish. Damian Penaud’s later touchdown in the right corner was a good illustration. The power up front that occupied the visiting eight, the glorious long pass from the full-back and the winger's clinical finish into the perimeter signage all displayed the hallmarks of a team with considerable ability, despite missing Dupont.

Yet that in the end was insufficient, which really is a sobering thought for competing teams. It is inconceivable, for instance, that the visitors could have trailed heavily to the Springboks and fought back in the way they did in their fixture. Notwithstanding the English team's last-quarter improvement, there is a journey ahead before the national side can be confident of facing the South African powerhouses with all at stake.

Northern Hemisphere Challenges

Beating an improving Fiji posed difficulties on the weekend although the next encounter against the New Zealand will be the contest that properly defines their November Tests. The All Blacks are certainly vulnerable, particularly without their key midfielder in their backline, but when it comes to taking their chances they remain a step ahead almost all the European sides.

Scotland were especially culpable of failing to hammer home the final nails and question marks still hang over England’s ideal backline blend. It is acceptable finishing games strongly – and far superior than succumbing at the death – but their admirable undefeated streak this year has so far featured only one win over world-class sides, a close result over Les Bleus in earlier in the year.

Future Prospects

Therefore the importance of this coming Saturday. Reading between the lines it would seem a number of adjustments are likely in the matchday squad, with experienced individuals being reinstated to the lineup. In the pack, similarly, familiar faces should be included from the start.

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