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Certain wins deliver double importance in the statement they convey. Amid the flurry of weekend rugby Tests, it was the Saturday evening outcome in the French capital that will linger longest across the rugby world. Not only the conclusion, but equally the style of victory. To claim that South Africa overturned various comfortable theories would be an oversimplification of the rugby year.

Surprising Comeback

So much for the idea, for example, that France would rectify the unfairness of their World Cup elimination. Assuming that going into the last period with a slight advantage and an extra man would result in inevitable glory. That even without their talisman their captain, they still had more than enough tranquiliser darts to keep the strong rivals under control.

Instead, it was a case of counting their poulets prematurely. Having been behind on the scoreboard, the 14-man Boks ended up racking up 19 points without reply, confirming their status as a side who more and more save their best for the most challenging situations. While defeating the All Blacks by a large margin in the last quarter was a declaration, now came clear demonstration that the world’s No 1 side are cultivating an even thicker skin.

Pack Power

In fact, Erasmus's champion Bok forwards are starting to make opposing sides look less intense by juxtaposition. Scotland and England experienced their moments over the two-day period but did not have the same dominant forwards that systematically dismantled the French pack to ruins in the last half-hour. A number of talented young France's pack members are emerging but, by the final whistle, Saturday night was men against boys.

What was perhaps even more striking was the psychological resilience supporting it all. Missing Lood de Jager – shown a red card in the first half for a high tackle of the opposition kicker – the South Africans could easily have faltered. On the contrary they simply united and proceeded to pulling the deflated French side to what one former French international referred to as “the hurt locker.”

Guidance and Example

Following the match, having been carried around the Stade de France on the powerful backs of the lock pairing to honor his century of appearances, the South African skipper, the flanker, repeatedly emphasized how several of his team have been obliged to conquer personal challenges and how he wished his side would similarly continue to inspire fans.

The ever-sage a commentator also made an perceptive comment on television, stating that his results increasingly make him the parallel figure of Sir Alex Ferguson. In the event that the world champions manage to claim a third straight world title there will be absolute certainty. Even if they fail to achieve it, the clever way in which the coach has revitalized a potentially ageing squad has been an exemplary model to other teams.

Young Stars

Look no further than his young playmaker Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who darted through for the late try that decisively broke the French windows. Additionally Grant Williams, a second backline player with blistering pace and an even sharper vision for space. Of course it is an advantage to play behind a massive forward unit, with the inside back riding shotgun, but the ongoing metamorphosis of the South African team from physically imposing units into a team who can also move with agility and sting like bees is hugely impressive.

Glimpses of French Quality

This is not to imply that the French team were totally outclassed, notwithstanding their limp finish. The wing's additional score in the far side was a good illustration. The set-piece strength that tied in the Bok forwards, the excellent wide ball from the playmaker and the try-scorer's execution into the perimeter signage all exhibited the characteristics of a team with significant talent, without Dupont.

But even that turned out to be inadequate, which truly represents a daunting prospect for competing teams. There is no way, for instance, that Scotland could have fallen behind by 17 points to the world champions and come galloping back in the way they did against the All Blacks. Notwithstanding the red rose's late resurgence, there is a gap to close before Steve Borthwick’s squad can be confident of standing up to Erasmus’s green-clad giants with high stakes.

European Prospects

Overcoming an developing Fijian side proved tricky enough on the weekend although the next encounter against the All Blacks will be the fixture that properly defines their November Tests. The visitors are certainly vulnerable, notably absent an influential back in their backline, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they continue to be a level above almost all the European sides.

The Thistles were especially culpable of not finishing off the killing points and uncertainties still apply to England’s optimal back division. It is all very well ending matches well – and much preferable than fading in the closing stages – but their commendable 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

Thus the importance of this upround. Interpreting the signals it would look like various alterations are anticipated in the starting lineup, with key players coming back to the lineup. Among the forwards, likewise, familiar faces should all be back from the beginning.

But everything is relative, in rugby as in existence. From now until the next global tournament the {rest