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Some victories send double importance in the statement they broadcast. Amid the barrage of weekend rugby Tests, it was Saturday night's outcome in the French capital that will resonate most enduringly across both hemispheres. Not merely the end result, but also the manner of success. To suggest that the Springboks shattered several comfortable beliefs would be an oversimplification of the calendar.

Surprising Comeback

Forget about the notion, for instance, that France would avenge the unfairness of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. Assuming that going into the last period with a small margin and an additional player would translate into assumed success. That even without their star man their captain, they still had ample resources to keep the powerful opponents safely at bay.

As it turned out, it was a case of counting their poulets before time. Having been trailing by four points, the 14-man Boks finished by scoring 19 unanswered points, confirming their reputation as a team who consistently save their best for the most demanding situations. Whereas overpowering New Zealand in Wellington in the last quarter was a statement, this was clear demonstration that the leading international squad are cultivating an more robust mentality.

Pack Power

If anything, Rassie Erasmus’s experienced front eight are beginning to make opposing sides look less intense by juxtaposition. Scotland and England both had their periods of promise over the two-day period but possessed nothing like the same earthmovers that thoroughly overwhelmed France to rubble in the closing period. Some promising young home nation players are developing but, by the conclusion, the encounter was hommes contre garçons.

What was perhaps even more striking was the mental strength underpinning it all. Without their lock forward – shown a 38th-minute straight red for a shoulder to the head of Thomas Ramos – the South Africans could might well have lost their composure. On the contrary they simply circled the wagons and proceeded to taking the demoralized home team to what a retired hooker called “the hurt locker.”

Leadership and Inspiration

Following the match, having been carried around the Stade de France on the gigantic shoulders of two key forwards to honor his 100th cap, the South African skipper, the flanker, repeatedly stressed how a significant number of his team have been obliged to overcome personal challenges and how he aspired his squad would in the same way continue to motivate others.

The ever-sage an analyst also made an perceptive comment on television, proposing that Erasmus’s record more and more make him the parallel figure of the legendary football manager. If South Africa do go on to win a third successive World Cup there will be no doubt whatsoever. Should they fall short, the clever way in which Erasmus has revitalized a experienced team has been an object lesson to everyone.

Young Stars

Look no further than his 23-year-old fly-half the rising star who darted through for the closing score that decisively broke the opposition line. Additionally the scrum-half, a second half-back with explosive speed and an more acute vision for space. Of course it is beneficial to play behind a dominant set of forwards, with the powerful center riding shotgun, but the ongoing metamorphosis of the Springboks from scowling heavyweights into a team who can also move with agility and deliver telling blows is hugely impressive.

Home Side's Moments

However, it should not be thought that the French team were utterly overwhelmed, notwithstanding their weak ending. Their winger's second try in the wing area was a prime instance. The set-piece strength that tied in the visiting eight, the excellent wide ball from the full-back and Penaud’s finishing dive into the advertising hoardings all exhibited the hallmarks of a side with notable skill, without Dupont.

But even that in the end was not enough, which truly represents a sobering thought for competing teams. There is no way, for example, that Scotland could have gone 17-0 down to the world champions and fought back in the way they did versus New Zealand. And for all England’s last-quarter improvement, there remains a journey ahead before the national side can be certain of facing Erasmus’s green-clad giants with high stakes.

European Prospects

Beating an developing Fijian side was challenging on the weekend although the upcoming showdown against the the Kiwis will be the match that accurately reflects their autumn. The All Blacks are not invincible, especially missing an influential back in their midfield, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they remain a step ahead most the home unions.

The Thistles were particularly guilty of missing the chance to secure the killing points and question marks still surround England’s ideal backline blend. It is fine performing in the final quarter – and much preferable than losing them late on – but their notable nine-match unbeaten run this year has so far featured only one win over world-class sides, a one-point home victory over Les Bleus in earlier in the year.

Next Steps

Hence the importance of this upround. Interpreting the signals it would appear various alterations are anticipated in the matchday squad, with key players coming back to the lineup. In the pack, likewise, familiar faces should all be back from the beginning.

However everything is relative, in rugby as in life. In the lead-up to the next global tournament the {rest