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Some victories carry dual significance in the lesson they communicate. Within the flood of weekend rugby Tests, it was the Saturday evening score in Paris that will linger most profoundly across the globe. Not only the conclusion, but equally the approach of victory. To suggest that the Springboks overturned several comfortable theories would be an understatement of the season.

Unexpected Turnaround

Discard the idea, for example, that the French team would make amends for the injustice of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. The belief that entering the final quarter with a narrow lead and an numerical superiority would lead to assumed success. Even in the absence of their star man Antoine Dupont, they still had sufficient tranquiliser darts to restrain the big beasts under control.

On the contrary, it was a case of celebrating too soon before time. Initially behind on the scoreboard, the 14-man Boks ended up racking up 19 points without reply, strengthening their reputation as a squad who increasingly reserve their top performance for the most demanding situations. While beating New Zealand 43-10 in the last quarter was a message, now came clear demonstration that the world’s No 1 side are cultivating an even thicker skin.

Forward Dominance

If anything, the coach's title-winning pack are beginning to make everyone else look less committed by contrast. Scotland and England both had their periods of promise over the weekend but did not have the same earthmovers that thoroughly overwhelmed the French pack to landfill in the closing period. Several up-and-coming young French forwards are developing but, by the end, the match was hommes contre garçons.

Perhaps most impressive was the inner fortitude supporting it all. In the absence of Lood de Jager – shown a 38th-minute straight red for a high tackle of Thomas Ramos – the Boks could might well have become disorganized. On the contrary they just circled the wagons and proceeded to pulling the disheartened French side to what an ex-France player called “extreme physical pressure.”

Guidance and Example

Following the match, having been carried around the venue on the powerful backs of the lock pairing to celebrate his century of appearances, the Springbok captain, Siya Kolisi, repeatedly stressed how a significant number of his squad have been needed to conquer personal challenges and how he aspired his side would in the same way continue to encourage others.

The insightful an analyst also made an shrewd point on television, suggesting that Erasmus’s record more and more make him the rugby coaching equivalent of the Manchester United great. In the event that the world champions manage to secure another global trophy there will be no doubt whatsoever. Should they fail to achieve it, the smart way in which the mentor has revitalized a experienced squad has been an object lesson to other teams.

Emerging Talent

Take for example his 23-year-old fly-half the rising star who darted through for the closing score that properly blew open the home defense. Or another half-back, a further playmaker with explosive speed and an even sharper eye for a gap. Naturally it is beneficial to have the support of a dominant set of forwards, with André Esterhuizen providing support, but the ongoing metamorphosis of the Springboks from physically imposing units into a side who can also display finesse and sting like bees is remarkable.

Glimpses of French Quality

Which is not to say that the home side were totally outclassed, in spite of their limp finish. Damian Penaud’s later touchdown in the wing area was a good illustration. The forward dominance that tied in the Bok forwards, the excellent wide ball from the full-back and the try-scorer's execution into the advertising hoardings all exhibited the hallmarks of a side with notable skill, despite missing their star man.

However, that turned out to be not enough, which truly represents a sobering thought for everybody else. There is no way, for instance, that the Scottish side could have gone 17-0 down to the world champions and mounted a comeback in the way they did versus New Zealand. Despite the red rose's strong finish, there still exists a distance to travel before the England team can be confident of competing with the South African powerhouses with high stakes.

European Prospects

Defeating an developing Fijian side proved tricky enough on the weekend although the forthcoming clash against the New Zealand will be the contest that accurately reflects their November Tests. The visitors are certainly vulnerable, especially missing their key midfielder in their backline, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they remain a step ahead almost all the northern hemisphere teams.

Scotland were particularly guilty of not finishing off the final nails and question marks still hang over the English side's perfect backline combination. It is all very well finishing games strongly – and infinitely better than losing them late on – but their notable winning sequence this year has so far featured only one win over world-class sides, a one-point home victory over Les Bleus in the winter.

Next Steps

Therefore the significance of this coming Saturday. Reading between the lines it would appear several changes are expected in the starting lineup, with established stars returning to the team. Up front, similarly, regular starters should return from the start.

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