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Some victories carry double weight in the message they broadcast. Among the flurry of weekend Test matches, it was the Saturday evening score in Paris that will echo most enduringly across both hemispheres. Not just the conclusion, but the way the approach of success. To say that the Springboks overturned various comfortable beliefs would be an understatement of the calendar.

Shifting Momentum

So much for the notion, for instance, that France would rectify the injustice of their World Cup elimination. Assuming that going into the final quarter with a narrow lead and an numerical superiority would lead to assumed success. Even in the absence of their star man their scrum-half, they still had more than enough tranquiliser darts to restrain the strong rivals at a distance.

Instead, it was a case of counting their poulets prematurely. Initially behind on the scoreboard, the reduced Springboks finished by registering 19 consecutive points, confirming their reputation as a side who consistently deliver their finest rugby for the most challenging circumstances. If defeating the All Blacks by a large margin in earlier this year was a statement, now came definitive evidence that the leading international squad are cultivating an more robust mentality.

Forward Dominance

In fact, Erasmus's title-winning pack are starting to make opposing sides look less intense by comparison. The Scottish and English sides both had their moments over the recent fixtures but lacked entirely the same dominant forwards that systematically dismantled France to rubble in the last half-hour. A number of talented young home nation players are emerging but, by the final whistle, the match was men against boys.

Perhaps most impressive was the mental strength supporting it all. In the absence of their lock forward – shown a 38th-minute straight red for a high tackle of the opposition kicker – the Springboks could potentially faltered. On the contrary they merely circled the wagons and began taking the deflated home team to what one former French international described as “extreme physical pressure.”

Captaincy and Motivation

Post-game, having been carried around the venue on the powerful backs of Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman to celebrate his hundredth Test, the South African skipper, Siya Kolisi, repeatedly emphasized how many of his team have been obliged to conquer life difficulties and how he wished his team would similarly continue to encourage fans.

The perceptive David Flatman also made an shrewd point on television, stating that his results more and more make him the parallel figure of Sir Alex Ferguson. In the event that the world champions succeed in win a third successive World Cup there will be complete assurance. Even if they fail to achieve it, the intelligent way in which the mentor has refreshed a potentially ageing roster has been an masterclass to all.

New Generation

Consider his emerging number 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who skipped over for the decisive touchdown that decisively broke the home defense. Or Grant Williams, another backline player with blistering pace and an keener vision for space. Of course it helps to operate behind a dominant set of forwards, with the powerful center riding shotgun, but the continuing evolution of the South African team from scowling heavyweights into a team who can also float like butterflies and deliver telling blows is remarkable.

Glimpses of French Quality

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 forward dominance that tied in the visiting eight, the glorious long pass from the full-back and Penaud’s finishing dive into the perimeter signage all displayed the traits of a side with significant talent, without their star man.

Yet that turned out to be insufficient, which truly represents a humbling reality for all other nations. It is inconceivable, for instance, that Scotland could have fallen behind by 17 points to the world champions and come galloping back in the way they did in their fixture. And for all the English team's strong finish, there still exists a distance to travel before Steve Borthwick’s squad can be certain of facing Erasmus’s green-clad giants with all at stake.

European Prospects

Beating an Pacific Island team proved tricky enough on Saturday although the forthcoming clash against the All Blacks will be the fixture that properly defines their November Tests. The visitors are not invincible, particularly without Jordie Barrett in their backline, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they continue to be a cut above almost all the home unions.

The Thistles were especially culpable of missing the chance to secure the final nails and doubts still surround England’s perfect backline combination. It is fine finishing games strongly – and far superior than succumbing at the death – but their commendable undefeated streak this year has so far featured only one win over world-class sides, a narrow win over France in February.

Future Prospects

Therefore the importance of this coming Saturday. Analyzing the situation it would seem various alterations are likely in the starting lineup, with key players being reinstated to the team. In the pack, similarly, familiar faces should all be back from the outset.

But perspective matters, in rugby as in existence. From now until the next global tournament the {rest