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Certain wins deliver dual importance in the message they convey. Amid the barrage of weekend Test matches, it was the Saturday evening outcome in the French capital that will echo longest across the globe. Not just the conclusion, but equally the manner of victory. To say that South Africa overturned various widely-held theories would be an understatement of the rugby year.

Unexpected Turnaround

Discard the notion, for example, that the French team would rectify the injustice of their World Cup last-eight loss. That entering the final quarter with a slight advantage and an additional player would translate into certain victory. That even without their key player Antoine Dupont, they still had more than enough strategies to restrain the strong rivals at a distance.

As it turned out, it was a case of celebrating too soon prematurely. After being behind on the scoreboard, the South African side with a player sent off concluded with scoring 19 unanswered points, reinforcing their status as a team who consistently reserve their top performance for the most challenging situations. If overpowering New Zealand in Wellington in September was a message, this was clear demonstration that the top-ranked team are cultivating an more robust mentality.

Forward Dominance

Actually, Erasmus's experienced front eight are increasingly make opposing sides look less intense by contrast. Scotland and England experienced their periods of promise over the weekend but possessed nothing like the same dominant forwards that systematically dismantled France to landfill in the final thirty minutes. A number of talented young France's pack members are emerging but, by the conclusion, the encounter was hommes contre garçons.

Perhaps most impressive was the inner fortitude underpinning it all. In the absence of Lood de Jager – given a dismissal before halftime for a dangerous contact of the French full-back – the Boks could potentially become disorganized. As it happened they merely circled the wagons and proceeded to pulling the deflated French side to what a retired hooker referred to as “extreme physical pressure.”

Captaincy and Motivation

Afterwards, having been borne aloft around the venue on the immense frames of Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman to mark his century of appearances, the Springbok captain, the inspirational figure, repeatedly stressed how several of his team have been obliged to overcome personal challenges and how he wished his squad would similarly continue to motivate fans.

The ever-sage David Flatman also made an perceptive comment on sports media, suggesting that his results progressively make him the rugby's version of the Manchester United great. Should the Springboks do go on to secure another global trophy there will be absolute certainty. In case they come up short, the clever way in which Erasmus has rejuvenated a potentially ageing roster has been an exemplary model to all.

Emerging Talent

Consider his young playmaker Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who skipped over for the decisive touchdown that properly blew open the French windows. And also Grant Williams, a further backline player with blistering pace and an even sharper ability to spot openings. Of course it is an advantage to play behind a dominant set of forwards, with André Esterhuizen adding physicality, but the steady transformation of the Springboks from physically imposing units into a side who can also display finesse and strike decisively is hugely impressive.

French Flashes

However, it should not be thought that the home side were completely dominated, despite their limp finish. The wing's additional score in the far side was a good illustration. The set-piece strength that occupied the visiting eight, the excellent wide ball from the playmaker and the winger's clinical finish into the advertising hoardings all demonstrated the hallmarks of a squad with notable skill, despite missing their captain.

However, that turned out to be not enough, which really is a humbling reality for everybody else. It is inconceivable, for instance, that the visitors could have fallen behind by 17 points to the Springboks and mounted a comeback in the way they did in their fixture. And for all the red rose's strong finish, there still exists a gap to close before Steve Borthwick’s squad can be confident of facing the world's top team with high stakes.

Northern Hemisphere Challenges

Overcoming an Pacific Island team proved tricky enough on the weekend although the upcoming showdown against the the Kiwis will be the match that truly shapes their autumn. The All Blacks are not invincible, particularly without Jordie Barrett in their backline, but when it comes to taking their chances they are still a level above most the home unions.

The Thistles were notably at fault of not finishing off the decisive blows and doubts still apply to the red rose's ideal backline blend. It is all very well finishing games strongly – and far superior than fading in the closing stages – but their admirable winning sequence this year has so far featured only one win over top-drawer opposition, a close result over France in the winter.

Future Prospects

Therefore the weight of this upround. Interpreting the signals it would seem a number of adjustments are expected in the starting lineup, with established stars returning to the team. Among the forwards, in the same way, first-choice players should all be back from the outset.

Yet context is key, in competition as in life. From now until the upcoming world championship the {rest