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Certain wins deliver twofold importance in the statement they communicate. Amid the flurry 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 conclusion, but the way the manner of success. To claim that the Springboks shattered a number of widely-held beliefs would be an understatement of the season.

Unexpected Turnaround

Discard the idea, for instance, that France would avenge the unfairness of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. That entering the closing stages with a slight advantage and an additional player would lead to certain victory. Even in the absence of their talisman Antoine Dupont, they still had ample strategies to restrain the big beasts at a distance.

As it turned out, it was a case of assuming victory before time. After being behind on the scoreboard, the reduced Springboks ended up registering 19 consecutive points, confirming their status as a squad who increasingly deliver their finest rugby for the toughest circumstances. If beating New Zealand 43-10 in the last quarter was a statement, this was conclusive proof that the leading international squad are developing an even thicker skin.

Pack Power

Actually, Erasmus's champion Bok forwards are beginning to make opposing sides look less intense by juxtaposition. The Scottish and English sides experienced their promising spells over the weekend but did not have the same dominant forwards that systematically dismantled France to landfill in the closing period. Some promising young France's pack members are developing but, by the conclusion, the encounter was men against boys.

What was perhaps even more striking was the inner fortitude driving it all. Without Lood de Jager – shown a dismissal before halftime for a high tackle of the French full-back – the Springboks could might well have become disorganized. On the contrary they simply united and set about dragging the deflated boys in blue to what one former French international described as “a place of suffering.”

Leadership and Inspiration

Post-game, having been borne aloft around the Parisian stadium on the immense frames of the lock pairing to honor his century of appearances, the team leader, Siya Kolisi, repeatedly emphasized how a significant number of his players have been required to conquer life difficulties and how he hoped his team would in the same way continue to motivate fans.

The insightful a commentator also made an shrewd comment on television, suggesting that Erasmus’s record progressively make him the rugby coaching equivalent of the Manchester United great. Should the Springboks succeed in claim a third straight world title there will be absolute certainty. Even if they come up short, the smart way in which the coach has revitalized a experienced team has been an exemplary model to all.

Young Stars

Take for example his emerging number 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who darted through for the closing score that decisively broke the opposition line. Or the scrum-half, a second playmaker with lightning acceleration and an even sharper ability to spot openings. Naturally it helps to operate behind a massive forward unit, with the inside back riding shotgun, but the ongoing metamorphosis of the Boks from scowling heavyweights into a side who can also move with agility and sting like bees is remarkable.

Glimpses of French Quality

Which is not to say that the French team were totally outclassed, despite their fading performance. The wing's later touchdown in the right corner was a prime instance. The power up front that tied in the South African pack, the glorious long pass from the playmaker and the try-scorer's execution into the sideline boards all exhibited the hallmarks of a team with significant talent, even in the absence of their star man.

However, that ultimately proved inadequate, which truly represents a sobering thought for competing teams. There is no way, for example, that Scotland could have trailed heavily to South Africa and mounted a comeback in the way they did versus New Zealand. And for all the red rose's last-quarter improvement, there is a distance to travel before the national side can be confident of competing with the South African powerhouses with high stakes.

European Prospects

Beating an improving Fiji was challenging on Saturday although the upcoming showdown against the New Zealand will be the match that properly defines their November Tests. New Zealand are not invincible, particularly without their key midfielder in their center, but when it comes to taking their chances they remain a level above almost all the home unions.

Scotland were particularly guilty of missing the chance to secure the final nails and doubts still surround England’s perfect backline combination. It is acceptable performing in the final quarter – and much preferable than losing them late on – but their notable winning sequence this year has so far included just a single victory over top-drawer opposition, a one-point home victory over Les Bleus in earlier in the year.

Next Steps

Thus the weight of this coming Saturday. Reading between the lines it would appear several changes are anticipated in the team selection, with experienced individuals coming back to the team. In the pack, similarly, regular starters should be included from the beginning.

But context is key, in rugby as in reality. Between now and the next global tournament the {rest