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Some victories send double weight in the message they convey. Within the barrage of weekend international rugby fixtures, it was Saturday night's outcome in the French capital that will linger most enduringly across the globe. Not merely the final score, but the way the approach of success. To suggest that South Africa shattered a number of comfortable theories would be an understatement of the rugby year.

Shifting Momentum

Discard the idea, for instance, that France would make amends for the disappointment of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. The belief that entering the final quarter with a slight advantage and an extra man would translate into certain victory. Despite missing their key player Antoine Dupont, they still had ample tranquiliser darts to keep the powerful opponents safely at bay.

On the contrary, it was a case of assuming victory too early. After being trailing by four points, the reduced Springboks concluded with scoring 19 unanswered points, reinforcing their standing as a side who more and more save their best for the most demanding circumstances. Whereas defeating the All Blacks by a large margin in the last quarter was a message, this was conclusive proof that the world’s No 1 side are developing an more robust mentality.

Set-Piece Superiority

In fact, the coach's champion Bok forwards are beginning to make everyone else look laissez-faire by comparison. Both northern hemisphere teams both had their periods of promise over the two-day period but did not have the same powerful carriers that systematically dismantled France to ruins in the final thirty minutes. Some promising young French forwards are developing but, by the final whistle, the encounter was hommes contre garçons.

Perhaps most impressive was the inner fortitude supporting it all. Without the second-rower – shown a red card in the first half for a dangerous contact of the opposition kicker – the South Africans could easily have become disorganized. Instead they simply united and began dragging the deflated home team to what one former French international described as “the hurt locker.”

Captaincy and Motivation

Afterwards, having been carried around the venue on the gigantic shoulders of two key forwards to celebrate his century of appearances, the Springbok captain, the inspirational figure, once again highlighted how a significant number of his team have been needed to conquer life difficulties and how he aspired his squad would in the same way continue to motivate fans.

The perceptive an analyst also made an shrewd observation on broadcast, suggesting that the coach's achievements 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 complete assurance. In case they fall short, the intelligent way in which Erasmus has refreshed a experienced team has been an exemplary model to other teams.

Young Stars

Consider his 23-year-old fly-half the rising star who skipped over for the closing score that decisively broke the French windows. And also the scrum-half, another half-back with explosive speed and an even sharper ability to spot openings. Naturally it is an advantage to operate behind a massive forward unit, with André Esterhuizen riding shotgun, but the continuing evolution of the Boks from physically imposing units into a team who can also float like butterflies and deliver telling blows is extraordinary.

French Flashes

However, it should not be thought that the home side were utterly overwhelmed, despite their weak ending. Damian Penaud’s second try in the wing area was a prime instance. The set-piece strength that occupied the visiting eight, the excellent wide ball from the playmaker and the try-scorer's execution into the advertising hoardings all demonstrated the hallmarks of a team with significant talent, without their captain.

Yet that ultimately proved not enough, which truly represents a sobering thought for all other nations. There is no way, for instance, that Scotland could have fallen behind by 17 points to South Africa and fought back in the way they did in their fixture. Despite the red rose's late resurgence, there is a gap to close before the national side can be certain of standing up to Erasmus’s green-clad giants with high stakes.

Home Nations' Tests

Overcoming an improving Fiji was challenging on Saturday although the upcoming showdown against the New Zealand will be the fixture that accurately reflects their November Tests. New Zealand are definitely still beatable, notably absent their key midfielder in their backline, but when it comes to taking their chances they continue to be a step ahead the majority of the European sides.

The Scottish team were notably at fault of failing to hammer home the decisive blows and uncertainties still surround the English side's perfect backline combination. It is acceptable 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 world-class sides, a close result over the French in earlier in the year.

Looking Ahead

Hence the weight of this next weekend. Interpreting the signals it would look like various alterations are expected in the starting lineup, with key players returning to the side. Up front, in the same way, familiar faces should all be back from the start.

However everything is relative, in rugby as in life. Between now and the upcoming world championship the {rest