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Certain wins deliver twofold weight in the message they communicate. Among the flood of weekend international rugby fixtures, it was Saturday night's score in the French capital that will resonate longest across the globe. Not only the conclusion, but the way the style of achievement. To suggest that the Springboks demolished various widely-held beliefs would be an modest description of the season.

Surprising Comeback

Forget about the idea, for instance, that France would make amends for the unfairness of their World Cup elimination. That entering the last period with a narrow lead and an extra man would translate into assumed success. That even without their talisman their captain, they still had more than enough tranquiliser darts to restrain the big beasts safely at bay.

On the contrary, it was a case of counting their poulets too early. Having been trailing by four points, the South African side with a player sent off finished by scoring 19 unanswered points, confirming their status as a side who increasingly save their best for the most demanding scenarios. If defeating the All Blacks by a large margin in earlier this year was a message, now came definitive evidence that the world’s No 1 side are building an greater resilience.

Forward Dominance

Actually, the coach's experienced front eight are starting to make all other teams look less intense by comparison. The Scottish and English sides both had their promising spells over the weekend but lacked entirely the same earthmovers that systematically dismantled the home side to landfill in the last half-hour. Several up-and-coming young French forwards are emerging but, by the conclusion, the encounter was hommes contre garçons.

What was perhaps even more striking was the mental strength underpinning it all. Missing Lood de Jager – issued a dismissal before halftime for a high tackle of the French full-back – the Boks could easily have lost their composure. Instead they just circled the wagons and proceeded to dragging the deflated French side to what an ex-France player described as “the hurt locker.”

Leadership and Inspiration

Afterwards, having been carried around the venue on the immense frames of the lock pairing to honor his century of appearances, the Springbok captain, the flanker, repeatedly emphasized how many of his players have been obliged to rise above life difficulties and how he aspired his team would similarly continue to inspire people.

The perceptive a commentator also made an perceptive observation on television, suggesting that the coach's achievements increasingly make him the rugby coaching equivalent of Sir Alex Ferguson. In the event that the world champions manage to win a third successive World Cup there will be complete assurance. Even if they fall short, the intelligent way in which Erasmus has refreshed a experienced team has been an masterclass to all.

Emerging Talent

Look no further than his emerging number 10 the newcomer who darted through for the late try that effectively shattered the opposition line. And also another half-back, a further half-back with explosive speed and an even sharper eye for a gap. Of course it is an advantage to have the support of a dominant set of forwards, with André Esterhuizen riding shotgun, but the steady transformation of the South African team from scowling heavyweights into a side who can also float like butterflies and sting like bees is remarkable.

Home Side's Moments

However, it should not be thought that the home side were utterly overwhelmed, despite their limp finish. The wing's later touchdown in the far side was a clear example. The set-piece strength that occupied the visiting eight, the glorious long pass from the full-back and the winger's clinical finish into the perimeter signage all exhibited the traits of a team with significant talent, without their star man.

But even that ultimately proved insufficient, which is a humbling reality for all other nations. It would be impossible, for example, that Scotland could have gone 17-0 down to the world champions and mounted a comeback in the way they did against the All Blacks. Despite the English team's late resurgence, there still exists a journey ahead before the national side can be assured of competing with the world's top team with all at stake.

Northern Hemisphere Challenges

Beating an developing Fijian side posed difficulties on match day although the upcoming showdown against the All Blacks will be the fixture that properly defines their end-of-year series. The All Blacks are definitely still beatable, particularly without an influential back in their backline, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they are still a step ahead most the home unions.

The Scottish team were notably at fault of not finishing off the decisive blows and question marks still apply to England’s ideal backline blend. It is all very well performing in the final quarter – and far superior than succumbing at the death – but their commendable nine-match unbeaten run this year has so far included just a single victory over top-drawer opposition, a close result over France in earlier in the year.

Future Prospects

Therefore the weight of this upround. Analyzing the situation it would appear a number of adjustments are likely in the matchday squad, with key players being reinstated to the side. Among the forwards, similarly, regular starters should be included from the start.

Yet context is key, in rugby as in life. In the lead-up to the next global tournament the {rest