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Some victories carry dual significance in the message they convey. Among the flood of weekend international rugby fixtures, it was Saturday night's result in Paris that will linger most enduringly across both hemispheres. Not just the final score, but the way the approach of victory. To suggest that South Africa shattered a number of comfortable beliefs would be an modest description of the season.

Surprising Comeback

So much for the theory, for example, that the French team would rectify the unfairness of their World Cup last-eight loss. That entering the closing stages with a slight advantage and an extra man would translate into inevitable glory. Despite missing their star man Antoine Dupont, they still had more than enough resources to restrain the big beasts under control.

Instead, it was a case of celebrating too soon too early. After being trailing by four points, the reduced Springboks finished by scoring 19 unanswered points, confirming their standing as a team who increasingly reserve their top performance for the most demanding circumstances. Whereas defeating the All Blacks by a large margin in earlier this year was a statement, this was definitive evidence that the leading international squad are developing an even thicker skin.

Set-Piece Superiority

In fact, the coach's experienced front eight are beginning to make all other teams look laissez-faire by contrast. Both northern hemisphere teams each enjoyed their periods of promise over the two-day period but possessed nothing like the same powerful carriers that effectively reduced the French pack to ruins in the closing period. Several up-and-coming young France's pack members are coming through but, by the end, Saturday night was hommes contre garçons.

Perhaps most impressive was the mental strength supporting it all. Without their lock forward – given a dismissal before halftime for a high tackle of the French full-back – the Boks could easily have become disorganized. On the contrary they merely united and set about pulling the demoralized boys in blue to what an ex-France player referred to as “extreme physical pressure.”

Guidance and Example

Post-game, having been hoisted around the venue on the gigantic shoulders of Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman to celebrate his hundredth Test, the South African skipper, the flanker, once again emphasized how a significant number of his team have been obliged to rise above personal challenges and how he wished his team would in the same way continue to inspire fans.

The perceptive an analyst also made an perceptive observation on television, stating that Erasmus’s record increasingly make him the parallel figure of the Manchester United great. If South Africa succeed in claim a third straight world title there will be complete assurance. In case they come up short, the smart way in which Erasmus has revitalized a potentially ageing squad has been an object lesson to other teams.

Emerging Talent

Look no further than his emerging number 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who darted through for the decisive touchdown that effectively shattered the French windows. Additionally the scrum-half, a second backline player with blistering pace and an more acute eye for a gap. Undoubtedly it is beneficial to have the support of a gargantuan pack, with the inside back riding shotgun, but the continuing evolution of the South African team from physically imposing units into a team who can also move with agility and strike decisively is extraordinary.

Glimpses of French Quality

However, it should not be thought that the home side were completely dominated, despite their weak ending. The wing's later touchdown in the far side was a prime instance. The set-piece strength that occupied the Bok forwards, the superb distribution from Ramos and the try-scorer's execution into the perimeter signage all exhibited the traits of a side with considerable ability, without Dupont.

However, that turned out to be insufficient, which really is a daunting prospect for everybody else. There is no way, for example, that the Scottish side could have gone 17-0 down to South Africa and fought back in the way they did versus New Zealand. Notwithstanding England’s strong finish, there is a journey ahead before Steve Borthwick’s squad can be assured of competing with the world's top team with high stakes.

European Prospects

Beating an improving Fiji posed difficulties on Saturday although the upcoming showdown against the the Kiwis will be the contest that properly defines their November Tests. The All Blacks are definitely still beatable, notably absent an influential back in their center, but when it comes to capitalizing on opportunities they continue to be a level above almost all the northern hemisphere teams.

The Scottish team were notably at fault of failing to hammer home the killing points and doubts still hang over the red rose's perfect backline combination. It is acceptable finishing games strongly – and far superior than succumbing at the death – but their commendable winning sequence this year has so far featured only one win over world-class sides, a close result over France in February.

Next Steps

Hence the weight of this coming Saturday. Reading between the lines it would look like several changes are expected in the starting lineup, with key players being reinstated to the team. Up front, similarly, familiar faces should all be back from the start.

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