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A number of triumphs send double weight in the message they convey. Among the barrage of weekend rugby Tests, it was the Saturday evening result in Paris that will resonate most profoundly across the rugby world. Not just the end result, but the way the style of success. To say that the Springboks demolished a number of established assumptions would be an understatement of the rugby year.

Unexpected Turnaround

So much for the theory, for example, that France would avenge the injustice of their World Cup elimination. The belief that entering the last period with a slight advantage and an additional player would translate into assumed success. Despite missing their key player Antoine Dupont, they still had ample tranquiliser darts to restrain the strong rivals under control.

As it turned out, it was a case of assuming victory too early. Initially 17-13 down, the reduced Springboks concluded with scoring 19 unanswered points, reinforcing their standing as a team who increasingly reserve their top performance for the toughest scenarios. Whereas beating New Zealand 43-10 in the last quarter was a declaration, here was clear demonstration that the world’s No 1 side are cultivating an even thicker skin.

Forward Dominance

In fact, Rassie Erasmus’s champion Bok forwards are increasingly make opposing sides look less intense by comparison. Both northern hemisphere teams experienced their moments over the recent fixtures but did not have the same earthmovers that thoroughly overwhelmed France to ruins in the final thirty minutes. Several up-and-coming young France's pack members are developing but, by the end, the encounter was a mismatch in experience.

Even more notable was the mental strength underpinning it all. In the absence of their lock forward – issued a 38th-minute straight red for a high tackle of Thomas Ramos – the South Africans could potentially faltered. As it happened they simply regrouped and proceeded to dragging the deflated French side to what one former French international referred to as “a place of suffering.”

Guidance and Example

Following the match, having been borne aloft around the venue on the gigantic shoulders of the lock pairing to mark his 100th cap, the team leader, the flanker, repeatedly stressed how many of his players have been obliged to rise above personal challenges and how he wished his team would likewise continue to motivate fans.

The insightful an analyst also made an shrewd comment on sports media, stating that Erasmus’s record more and more make him the parallel figure of the legendary football manager. In the event that the world champions succeed in win a third successive World Cup there will be no doubt whatsoever. Should they fall short, the smart way in which the coach has revitalized a possibly veteran roster has been an exemplary model to everyone.

New Generation

Look no further than his young playmaker Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who darted through for the decisive touchdown that effectively shattered the French windows. And also another half-back, another backline player with explosive speed and an even sharper ability to spot openings. Undoubtedly it is an advantage to have the support of a gargantuan pack, with the inside back adding physicality, but the ongoing metamorphosis of the Boks from scowling heavyweights into a squad who can also move with agility and deliver telling blows is extraordinary.

Home Side's Moments

Which is not to say that the French team were totally outclassed, in spite of their weak ending. The wing's second try in the far side was a clear example. The set-piece strength that occupied the visiting eight, the excellent wide ball from Ramos and the winger's clinical finish into the perimeter signage all exhibited the traits of a squad with notable skill, despite missing their star man.

However, that turned out to be inadequate, which is a humbling reality for competing teams. There is no way, for example, that the visitors could have trailed heavily to the world champions and fought back in the way they did in their fixture. And for all the English team's last-quarter improvement, there remains a journey ahead before the England team can be certain of facing the world's top team with high stakes.

Northern Hemisphere Challenges

Beating an Pacific Island team posed difficulties on Saturday although the upcoming showdown against the All Blacks will be the fixture that properly defines their end-of-year series. New Zealand are certainly vulnerable, notably absent an influential back in their midfield, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they remain a level above the majority of the European sides.

Scotland were notably at fault of missing the chance to secure the decisive blows and uncertainties still surround England’s perfect backline combination. It is all very well finishing games strongly – 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 February.

Looking Ahead

Thus the importance of this coming Saturday. Interpreting the signals it would look like various alterations are expected in the matchday squad, with key players being reinstated to the team. Up front, likewise, first-choice players should be included from the beginning.

Yet everything is relative, in competition as in existence. In the lead-up to the upcoming world championship the {rest