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Some victories send twofold significance in the message they broadcast. Within the flood of weekend Test matches, it was Saturday night's outcome in Paris that will linger longest across both hemispheres. Not merely the conclusion, but also the style of victory. To suggest that the Springboks overturned several established assumptions would be an oversimplification of the calendar.

Unexpected Turnaround

So much for the idea, for example, that France would make amends for the injustice of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. That entering the last period with a small margin and an additional player would translate into inevitable glory. That even without their talisman Antoine Dupont, they still had ample strategies to keep the strong rivals under control.

Instead, it was a case of counting their poulets too early. After being trailing by four points, the 14-man Boks concluded with scoring 19 unanswered points, confirming their status as a team who more and more reserve their top performance for the most challenging circumstances. Whereas overpowering New Zealand in Wellington in the last quarter was a message, here was conclusive proof that the leading international squad are building an even thicker skin.

Forward Dominance

In fact, the coach's champion Bok forwards are beginning to make all other teams look less intense by contrast. The Scottish and English sides each enjoyed their moments over the weekend but possessed nothing like the same earthmovers that effectively reduced the French pack to landfill in the last half-hour. Several up-and-coming young home nation players are coming through but, by the final whistle, the encounter was hommes contre garçons.

Even more notable was the psychological resilience driving it all. In the absence of their lock forward – issued a 38th-minute straight red for a dangerous contact of Thomas Ramos – the Boks could easily have faltered. As it happened they merely regrouped and set about taking the demoralized French side to what an ex-France player called “a place of suffering.”

Captaincy and Motivation

Following the match, having been borne aloft around the Parisian stadium on the immense frames of Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman to mark his 100th cap, the team leader, Siya Kolisi, yet again stressed how several of his players have been obliged to rise above personal challenges and how he wished his team would similarly continue to encourage others.

The insightful David Flatman also made an astute comment on sports media, suggesting that Erasmus’s record more and more make him the parallel figure of Sir Alex Ferguson. If South Africa succeed in claim a third straight world title there will be no doubt whatsoever. In case they fall short, the clever way in which the coach has refreshed a potentially ageing team has been an masterclass to all.

New Generation

Take for example his emerging number 10 the rising star who darted through for the decisive touchdown that effectively shattered the home defense. Additionally the scrum-half, a further half-back with explosive speed and an even sharper eye for a gap. Naturally it is beneficial to play behind a dominant set of forwards, with André Esterhuizen providing support, but the continuing evolution of the Springboks from intimidating giants into a squad who can also move with agility and sting like bees is hugely impressive.

Glimpses of French Quality

Which is not to say that the French team were completely dominated, notwithstanding their weak ending. Their winger's second try in the wing area was a prime instance. The forward dominance that tied in the visiting eight, the superb distribution from Ramos and the winger's clinical finish into the perimeter signage all displayed the hallmarks of a squad with notable skill, even in the absence of Dupont.

However, that turned out to be insufficient, which is a daunting prospect for all other nations. There is no way, for example, that the visitors could have trailed heavily to the world champions and mounted a comeback in the way they did versus New Zealand. And for all the English team's last-quarter improvement, there is a gap to close before the England team can be certain of facing the South African powerhouses with high stakes.

Home Nations' Tests

Overcoming an developing Fijian side proved tricky enough on match day although the forthcoming clash against the New Zealand will be the contest that accurately reflects their November Tests. New Zealand are certainly vulnerable, notably absent their key midfielder in their center, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they are still a step ahead the majority of the European sides.

The Thistles were notably at fault of not finishing off the final nails and doubts still surround the English side's perfect backline combination. It is fine finishing games strongly – and far superior than succumbing at the death – but their admirable winning sequence this year has so far featured only one win over elite-level teams, a narrow win over the French in the winter.

Next Steps

Hence the significance of this coming Saturday. Analyzing the situation it would seem several changes are likely in the starting lineup, with established stars coming back to the side. In the pack, in the same way, familiar faces should be included from the outset.

However perspective matters, in competition as in life. Between now and the upcoming world championship the {rest