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Some victories send dual weight in the message they broadcast. Within the flurry of weekend rugby Tests, it was Saturday night's result in the French capital that will echo most profoundly across both hemispheres. Not merely the final score, but equally the approach of achievement. To claim that the Springboks shattered a number of widely-held assumptions would be an understatement of the rugby year.

Unexpected Turnaround

Discard the theory, for instance, that France would avenge the injustice of their World Cup last-eight loss. The belief that entering the last period with a slight advantage and an numerical superiority would translate into certain victory. That even without their key player their captain, they still had more than enough resources to contain the strong rivals at a distance.

Instead, it was a case of assuming victory before time. Having been 17-13 down, the 14-man Boks finished by racking up 19 points without reply, confirming their status as a side who increasingly reserve their top performance for the most demanding situations. Whereas defeating the All Blacks by a large margin in September was a declaration, here was definitive evidence that the world’s No 1 side are developing an greater resilience.

Forward Dominance

Actually, Erasmus's experienced front eight are increasingly make all other teams look less committed by contrast. Scotland and England both had their moments over the recent fixtures but possessed nothing like the same dominant forwards that effectively reduced France to rubble in the last half-hour. Some promising young French forwards are emerging but, by the final whistle, Saturday night was a mismatch in experience.

Perhaps most impressive was the mental strength supporting it all. Without their lock forward – issued a 38th-minute straight red for a shoulder to the head of Thomas Ramos – the South Africans could might well have become disorganized. As it happened they merely regrouped and set about dragging the disheartened French side to what an ex-France player described as “extreme physical pressure.”

Captaincy and Motivation

Following the match, having been borne aloft around the venue on the immense frames of two key forwards to honor his 100th cap, the Springbok captain, the inspirational figure, repeatedly highlighted how several of his team have been required to overcome life difficulties and how he wished his squad would similarly continue to inspire fans.

The ever-sage a commentator also made an shrewd observation on sports media, suggesting that his results more and more make him the rugby's version of Sir Alex Ferguson. Should the Springboks do go on to win a third successive World Cup there will be no doubt whatsoever. Even if they fail to achieve it, the intelligent way in which Erasmus has refreshed a potentially ageing roster has been an masterclass to other teams.

New Generation

Look no further than his 23-year-old fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who darted through for the closing score that decisively broke the home defense. Additionally the scrum-half, a second playmaker with explosive speed and an even sharper eye for a gap. Of course it is an advantage to have the support of a gargantuan pack, with the powerful center riding shotgun, but the ongoing metamorphosis of the Springboks from intimidating giants into a team who can also display finesse and strike decisively is hugely impressive.

Glimpses of French Quality

However, it should not be thought that the French team were completely dominated, in spite of their limp finish. The wing's later touchdown in the wing area was a good illustration. The forward dominance that occupied the visiting eight, the excellent wide ball from Ramos and the try-scorer's execution into the advertising hoardings all demonstrated the hallmarks of a squad with notable skill, despite missing their captain.

However, that turned out to be inadequate, which is a humbling reality for all other nations. It would be impossible, for example, that the visitors could have trailed heavily to the Springboks and mounted a comeback in the way they did in their fixture. Notwithstanding the red rose's late resurgence, there remains a journey ahead before the national side can be assured of standing up to the world's top team with all at stake.

Home Nations' Tests

Beating an improving Fiji proved tricky enough on the weekend although the upcoming showdown against the All Blacks will be the fixture that accurately reflects their November Tests. The All Blacks are certainly vulnerable, especially missing their key midfielder in their midfield, but when it comes to taking their chances they continue to be a cut above most the home unions.

The Scottish team were notably at fault of missing the chance to secure the killing points and uncertainties still surround the English side's ideal backline blend. It is fine finishing games strongly – and far superior than succumbing at the death – but their admirable winning sequence this year has so far included just a single victory over world-class sides, a narrow win over the French in the winter.

Looking Ahead

Therefore the significance of this next weekend. Analyzing the situation it would seem a number of adjustments are expected in the matchday squad, with experienced individuals being reinstated to the team. Up front, similarly, familiar faces should return from the start.

But everything is relative, in sport as in reality. In the lead-up to the upcoming world championship the {rest