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Certain wins deliver double importance in the statement they convey. Within the flood of weekend Test matches, it was Saturday night's score in Paris that will resonate most enduringly across the rugby world. Not just the end result, but equally the style of achievement. To say that South Africa shattered various comfortable beliefs would be an understatement of the rugby year.

Surprising Comeback

So much for the notion, for example, that the French team would avenge the disappointment of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. The belief that entering the last period with a narrow lead and an numerical superiority would result in assumed success. That even without their talisman Antoine Dupont, they still had more than enough resources to contain the big beasts under control.

As it turned out, it was a case of celebrating too soon too early. Initially behind on the scoreboard, the reduced Springboks finished by registering 19 consecutive points, reinforcing their status as a team who more and more deliver their finest rugby for the most demanding situations. If beating New Zealand 43-10 in earlier this year was a message, here was definitive evidence that the leading international squad are building an even thicker skin.

Forward Dominance

In fact, the coach's title-winning pack are beginning to make opposing sides look less intense by contrast. Both northern hemisphere teams both had their periods of promise over the recent fixtures but lacked entirely the same dominant forwards that systematically dismantled France to ruins in the last half-hour. A number of talented young France's pack members are emerging but, by the final whistle, the encounter was hommes contre garçons.

What was perhaps even more striking was the mental strength driving it all. In the absence of Lood de Jager – issued a dismissal before halftime for a high tackle of Thomas Ramos – the Springboks could easily have become disorganized. As it happened they just united and set about dragging the demoralized boys in blue to what an ex-France player called “the hurt locker.”

Guidance and Example

Post-game, having been borne aloft around the Parisian stadium on the powerful backs of Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman to celebrate his century of appearances, the Springbok captain, the inspirational figure, repeatedly emphasized how several of his squad have been obliged to overcome personal challenges and how he hoped his squad would similarly continue to motivate fans.

The perceptive David Flatman also made an perceptive comment on sports media, suggesting that the coach's achievements progressively make him the parallel figure of the legendary football manager. Should the Springboks succeed in claim a third straight world title there will be no doubt whatsoever. Even if they fail to achieve it, the intelligent way in which Erasmus has refreshed a potentially ageing team has been an exemplary model to everyone.

Young Stars

Take for example his emerging number 10 the newcomer who darted through for the late try that properly blew open the home defense. Or the scrum-half, another backline player with explosive speed and an keener ability to spot openings. Naturally it helps to play behind a gargantuan pack, with André Esterhuizen providing support, but the ongoing metamorphosis of the Boks from physically imposing units into a side who can also float like butterflies and strike decisively is extraordinary.

French Flashes

However, it should not be thought that the home side were totally outclassed, notwithstanding their fading performance. The wing's second try in the wing area was a prime instance. The set-piece strength that occupied the visiting eight, the superb distribution from Ramos and the try-scorer's execution into the sideline boards all exhibited the characteristics of a team with notable skill, even in the absence of their captain.

However, that ultimately proved insufficient, which truly represents a daunting prospect for everybody else. It would be impossible, for example, that the visitors could have gone 17-0 down to South Africa and mounted a comeback in the way they did versus New Zealand. Notwithstanding the English team's strong finish, there still exists a journey ahead before the national side can be certain of facing Erasmus’s green-clad giants with everything on the line.

European Prospects

Defeating an improving Fiji proved tricky enough on the weekend although the next encounter against the the Kiwis will be the fixture that properly defines their autumn. The All Blacks are certainly vulnerable, especially missing an influential back in their backline, but when it comes to capitalizing on opportunities they are still a level above most the European sides.

Scotland were especially culpable of not finishing off the final nails and doubts still surround the red rose's ideal backline blend. It is fine ending matches well – and much preferable than losing them late on – but their commendable undefeated streak this year has so far featured only one win over elite-level teams, a one-point home victory over Les Bleus in earlier in the year.

Future Prospects

Therefore the importance of this upround. Interpreting the signals it would appear several changes are anticipated in the starting lineup, with experienced individuals coming back to the side. Up front, in the same way, first-choice players should return from the start.

However context is key, in rugby as in reality. In the lead-up to the next global tournament the {rest