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Some victories carry twofold importance in the message they convey. Among the flurry of weekend Test matches, it was the Saturday evening result in Paris that will linger longest across the globe. Not just the final score, but the way the style of victory. To claim that the Springboks demolished a number of established beliefs would be an understatement of the season.

Unexpected Turnaround

Discard the idea, for instance, that France would rectify the disappointment of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. The belief that entering the closing stages with a narrow lead and an numerical superiority would result in assumed success. That even without their star man their captain, they still had ample resources to contain the big beasts safely at bay.

As it turned out, it was a case of assuming victory before time. After being 17-13 down, the South African side with a player sent off concluded with registering 19 consecutive points, reinforcing their standing as a team who more and more save their best for the most demanding circumstances. While beating New Zealand 43-10 in the last quarter was a message, this was clear demonstration that the leading international squad are cultivating an even thicker skin.

Forward Dominance

In fact, Erasmus's champion Bok forwards are beginning to make opposing sides look laissez-faire by contrast. The Scottish and English sides both had their moments over the two-day period but did not have the same powerful carriers that thoroughly overwhelmed France to rubble in the closing period. Several up-and-coming young home nation players are emerging but, by the conclusion, the match was a mismatch in experience.

What was perhaps even more striking was the mental strength driving it all. In the absence of the second-rower – shown a dismissal before halftime for a shoulder to the head of the French full-back – the Springboks could potentially faltered. On the contrary they merely united and proceeded to pulling the disheartened home team to what one former French international described as “the hurt locker.”

Guidance and Example

Afterwards, having been borne aloft around the Stade de France on the powerful backs of the lock pairing to honor his century of appearances, the Springbok captain, the flanker, yet again emphasized how many of his players have been needed to rise above off-field adversity and how he aspired his squad would similarly continue to encourage others.

The perceptive David Flatman also made an shrewd observation on television, proposing that Erasmus’s record progressively make him the rugby coaching equivalent of Sir Alex Ferguson. In the event that the world champions manage to secure another global trophy there will be no doubt whatsoever. Even if they come up short, the clever way in which Erasmus has rejuvenated a experienced squad has been an masterclass to everyone.

Young Stars

Consider his emerging number 10 the newcomer who skipped over for the decisive touchdown that decisively broke the French windows. Or the scrum-half, a further half-back with lightning acceleration and an more acute eye for a gap. Undoubtedly it is an advantage to have the support of a dominant set of forwards, with André Esterhuizen riding shotgun, but the continuing evolution of the Springboks from intimidating giants into a squad who can also move with agility and sting like bees is remarkable.

Glimpses of French Quality

This is not to imply that the home side were completely dominated, notwithstanding their weak ending. The wing's additional score in the wing area was a prime instance. The forward dominance that tied in the South African pack, the glorious long pass from Ramos and the try-scorer's execution into the sideline boards all demonstrated the traits of a side with considerable ability, despite missing Dupont.

But even that ultimately proved inadequate, which is a daunting prospect for all other nations. It would be impossible, for example, that the visitors could have trailed heavily to South Africa and come galloping back in the way they did versus New Zealand. Notwithstanding England’s last-quarter improvement, there remains a distance to travel before the national side can be certain of standing up to Erasmus’s green-clad giants with all at stake.

Home Nations' Tests

Defeating an developing Fijian side proved tricky enough on Saturday although the next encounter against the All Blacks will be the contest that accurately reflects their end-of-year series. New Zealand are not invincible, notably absent their key midfielder in their backline, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they are still a level above almost all the northern hemisphere teams.

The Thistles were notably at fault of not finishing off the decisive blows and uncertainties still surround England’s ideal backline blend. It is acceptable finishing games strongly – and infinitely better than fading in the closing stages – but their commendable undefeated streak this year has so far included just a single victory over top-drawer opposition, a narrow win over France in the winter.

Future Prospects

Hence the significance of this upround. Interpreting the signals it would seem various alterations are expected in the matchday squad, with established stars coming back to the lineup. Up front, likewise, familiar faces should be included from the beginning.

Yet context is key, in sport as in reality. In the lead-up to the upcoming world championship the {rest