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A number of triumphs send twofold significance in the message they communicate. Among the flurry of weekend rugby Tests, it was the Saturday evening result in the French capital that will resonate most enduringly across both hemispheres. Not just the end result, but the way the manner of victory. To suggest that South Africa overturned a number of established theories would be an oversimplification of the season.

Unexpected Turnaround

So much for the idea, for example, that France would avenge the injustice of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. Assuming that going into the last period with a slight advantage and an extra man would lead to assumed success. That even without their star man their scrum-half, they still had more than enough strategies to restrain the big beasts safely at bay.

On the contrary, it was a case of celebrating too soon before time. Having been 17-13 down, the reduced Springboks concluded with scoring 19 unanswered points, confirming their status as a team who more and more deliver their finest rugby for the toughest situations. While defeating the All Blacks by a large margin in September was a statement, this was definitive evidence that the world’s No 1 side are building an more robust mentality.

Pack Power

If anything, Erasmus's title-winning pack are increasingly make opposing sides look less committed by comparison. Scotland and England both had their promising spells over the two-day period but possessed nothing like the same powerful carriers that systematically dismantled the French pack to rubble in the closing period. A number of talented young France's pack members are developing but, by the end, Saturday night was hommes contre garçons.

Perhaps most impressive was the mental strength driving it all. Missing the second-rower – shown a red card in the first half for a high tackle of the opposition kicker – the Boks could might well have become disorganized. On the contrary they merely regrouped and set about taking the deflated boys in blue to what a retired hooker called “a place of suffering.”

Guidance and Example

Following the match, having been hoisted around the Parisian stadium on the gigantic shoulders of the lock pairing to honor his century of appearances, the Springbok captain, Siya Kolisi, once again stressed how several of his team have been required to conquer off-field adversity and how he hoped his team would in the same way continue to motivate people.

The insightful an analyst also made an astute point on sports media, proposing that Erasmus’s record progressively make him the parallel figure of Sir Alex Ferguson. Should the Springboks succeed in claim a third straight world title there will be no doubt whatsoever. Should they fail to achieve it, the clever way in which Erasmus has rejuvenated a possibly veteran team has been an exemplary model to all.

New Generation

Look no further than his young playmaker Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who darted through for the decisive touchdown that effectively shattered the opposition line. Or the scrum-half, a further playmaker with lightning acceleration and an more acute ability to spot openings. Undoubtedly it is beneficial to operate behind a massive forward unit, with the inside back riding shotgun, but the ongoing metamorphosis of the Springboks from physically imposing units into a squad who can also float like butterflies and sting like bees is extraordinary.

French Flashes

This is not to imply that the French team were totally outclassed, notwithstanding their fading performance. Damian Penaud’s additional score in the far side was a prime instance. The forward dominance that engaged the Bok forwards, the superb distribution from the playmaker and the winger's clinical finish into the perimeter signage all demonstrated the traits of a squad with significant talent, even in the absence of Dupont.

However, that ultimately proved inadequate, which is a daunting prospect for everybody else. There is no way, for example, that the Scottish side could have gone 17-0 down to South Africa and fought back in the way they did in their fixture. Despite the English team's strong finish, there remains a distance to travel before the England team can be confident of standing up to Erasmus’s green-clad giants with high stakes.

European Prospects

Defeating an Pacific Island team posed difficulties on the weekend although the upcoming showdown against the the Kiwis will be the contest that properly defines their November Tests. The visitors 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 cut above most the northern hemisphere teams.

Scotland were particularly guilty of missing the chance to secure the final nails and doubts still hang over the English side's perfect backline combination. It is acceptable finishing games strongly – and far superior than succumbing at the death – but their notable nine-match unbeaten run this year has so far included just a single victory over elite-level teams, a one-point home victory over France in February.

Looking Ahead

Therefore the importance of this coming Saturday. Interpreting the signals it would seem a number of adjustments are anticipated in the team selection, with key players being reinstated to the team. Up front, likewise, regular starters should return from the start.

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