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Some victories carry double significance in the message they communicate. Within the barrage of weekend international rugby fixtures, it was the Saturday evening result in the French capital that will echo most enduringly across the globe. Not only the final score, but equally the manner of achievement. To say that South Africa shattered several comfortable assumptions would be an oversimplification of the season.

Unexpected Turnaround

Discard the notion, for instance, that France would avenge the unfairness of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. That entering the last period with a slight advantage and an numerical superiority would result in certain victory. Despite missing their star man Antoine Dupont, they still had ample resources to keep the strong rivals safely at bay.

On the contrary, it was a case of celebrating too soon prematurely. After being trailing by four points, the South African side with a player sent off finished by registering 19 consecutive points, reinforcing their status as a side who increasingly save their best for the most demanding situations. If defeating the All Blacks by a large margin in the last quarter was a statement, now came conclusive proof that the world’s No 1 side are developing an even thicker skin.

Pack Power

If anything, Erasmus's experienced front eight are increasingly make opposing sides look less committed by juxtaposition. Scotland and England each enjoyed their periods of promise over the two-day period but possessed nothing like the same dominant forwards that effectively reduced the French pack to landfill in the final thirty minutes. Several up-and-coming young home nation players are coming through but, by the conclusion, Saturday night was men against boys.

Even more notable was the mental strength driving it all. Without Lood de Jager – issued a dismissal before halftime for a dangerous contact of Thomas Ramos – the Boks could potentially faltered. Instead they just circled the wagons and set about dragging the demoralized boys in blue to what an ex-France player referred to as “the hurt locker.”

Captaincy and Motivation

Post-game, having been carried around the Stade de France on the gigantic shoulders of the lock pairing to honor his 100th cap, the Springbok captain, the inspirational figure, repeatedly highlighted how a significant number of his players have been required to conquer life difficulties and how he aspired his team would similarly continue to motivate people.

The perceptive David Flatman also made an perceptive point on television, stating that Erasmus’s record progressively make him the parallel figure of the legendary football manager. In the event that the world champions succeed in claim a third straight world title there will be absolute certainty. Should they fall short, the smart way in which Erasmus has rejuvenated a experienced squad has been an masterclass to everyone.

Emerging Talent

Take for example his emerging number 10 the rising star who darted through for the late try that decisively broke the French windows. Additionally the scrum-half, a second backline player with lightning acceleration and an even sharper eye for a gap. Undoubtedly it helps to play behind a gargantuan pack, with the powerful center providing support, but the ongoing metamorphosis of the Boks from scowling heavyweights into a squad who can also move with agility and deliver telling blows is remarkable.

Glimpses of French Quality

This is not to imply that the French team were completely dominated, notwithstanding their limp finish. The wing's later touchdown in the right corner was a clear example. The forward dominance that tied in the South African pack, the excellent wide ball from the full-back and the winger's clinical finish into the perimeter signage all displayed the hallmarks of a side with notable skill, without Dupont.

Yet that ultimately proved not enough, which truly represents a sobering thought for everybody else. It would be impossible, for instance, that the Scottish side could have fallen behind by 17 points to the world champions and come galloping back in the way they did in their fixture. And for all the red rose's last-quarter improvement, there still exists a gap to close before the national side can be certain of facing Erasmus’s green-clad giants with everything on the line.

Home Nations' Tests

Beating an developing Fijian side posed difficulties on Saturday although the upcoming showdown against the New Zealand will be the contest that properly defines their November Tests. The visitors are definitely still beatable, notably absent their key midfielder in their backline, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they remain a level above almost all the northern hemisphere teams.

The Thistles were notably at fault of missing the chance to secure the final nails and question marks still surround the red rose's perfect backline combination. It is fine performing in the final quarter – and much preferable than fading in the closing stages – but their admirable winning sequence this year has so far shown just one success over world-class sides, a close result over the French in the winter.

Next Steps

Therefore the significance of this next weekend. Reading between the lines it would appear several changes are expected in the starting lineup, with experienced individuals coming back to the team. Among the forwards, similarly, familiar faces should be included from the outset.

Yet perspective matters, in competition as in existence. From now until the next global tournament the {rest