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Some victories carry twofold importance in the statement they communicate. Amid the flurry of weekend Test matches, it was the Saturday evening outcome in Paris that will echo longest across the rugby world. Not just the end result, but the way the style of success. To say that South Africa shattered various comfortable beliefs would be an modest description of the season.

Surprising Comeback

Forget about the idea, for instance, that the French team would rectify the injustice of their World Cup elimination. The belief that entering the final quarter with a small margin and an numerical superiority would translate into inevitable glory. Despite missing their key player their captain, they still had more than enough strategies to restrain the strong rivals under control.

Instead, it was a case of celebrating too soon prematurely. Having been 17-13 down, the 14-man Boks ended up registering 19 consecutive points, strengthening their reputation as a side who consistently deliver their finest rugby for the most challenging situations. Whereas overpowering New Zealand in Wellington in earlier this year was a declaration, here was definitive evidence that the top-ranked team are building an greater resilience.

Forward Dominance

In fact, Erasmus's title-winning pack are increasingly make all other teams look less intense by contrast. Both northern hemisphere teams both had their periods of promise over the two-day period but lacked entirely the same powerful carriers that systematically dismantled the French pack to rubble in the closing period. A number of talented young home nation players are coming through but, by the final whistle, the encounter was men against boys.

Even more notable was the psychological resilience supporting it all. In the absence of their lock forward – issued a dismissal before halftime for a dangerous contact of Thomas Ramos – the Boks could potentially become disorganized. On the contrary they just circled the wagons and set about pulling the demoralized home team to what a retired hooker called “the hurt locker.”

Leadership and Inspiration

Following the match, having been carried around the Parisian stadium on the powerful backs of two key forwards to celebrate his century of appearances, the team leader, Siya Kolisi, yet again emphasized how a significant number of his players have been required to overcome off-field adversity and how he wished his side would similarly continue to encourage others.

The perceptive David Flatman also made an astute comment on broadcast, stating that Erasmus’s record progressively make him the rugby's version of the legendary football manager. In the event that the world champions succeed in secure another global trophy there will be absolute certainty. Should they come up short, the intelligent way in which the mentor has rejuvenated a experienced team has been an exemplary model to other teams.

Emerging Talent

Look no further than his 23-year-old fly-half the newcomer who skipped over for the decisive touchdown that decisively broke the opposition line. Additionally Grant Williams, a further playmaker with blistering pace and an even sharper vision for space. Undoubtedly it helps to operate behind a gargantuan pack, with the inside back adding physicality, but the steady transformation of the Boks from intimidating giants into a squad who can also display finesse and sting like bees is hugely impressive.

French Flashes

However, it should not be thought that the home side were totally outclassed, notwithstanding their weak ending. Damian Penaud’s additional score in the right corner was a clear example. The forward dominance that occupied the visiting eight, the glorious long pass from the playmaker and the try-scorer's execution into the advertising hoardings all displayed the characteristics of a team with considerable ability, without their captain.

Yet that ultimately proved insufficient, which truly represents a humbling reality for everybody else. There is no way, for instance, that the Scottish side could have fallen behind by 17 points to the Springboks and fought back in the way they did in their fixture. Notwithstanding England’s last-quarter improvement, there is a gap to close before Steve Borthwick’s squad can be assured of facing the world's top team with everything on the line.

Northern Hemisphere Challenges

Defeating an improving Fiji proved tricky enough on Saturday although the next encounter against the New Zealand will be the match that accurately reflects their autumn. The visitors are not invincible, especially missing their key midfielder in their center, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they remain a level above almost all the northern hemisphere teams.

The Thistles were especially culpable of missing the chance to secure the final nails and question marks still hang over the English side's ideal backline blend. It is fine ending matches well – and far superior than fading in the closing stages – but their commendable nine-match unbeaten run this year has so far shown just one success over top-drawer opposition, a narrow win over Les Bleus in February.

Looking Ahead

Hence the importance of this next weekend. Reading between the lines it would look like various alterations are anticipated in the matchday squad, with established stars being reinstated to the team. In the pack, in the same way, familiar faces should be included from the start.

However perspective matters, in sport as in reality. From now until the upcoming world championship the {rest