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Some victories send twofold significance in the statement they communicate. Among the flood of weekend international rugby fixtures, it was the Saturday evening result in the French capital that will echo most enduringly across both hemispheres. Not just the end result, but also the approach of success. To suggest that South Africa overturned a number of comfortable theories would be an oversimplification of the rugby year.

Surprising Comeback

So much for the theory, for instance, that France would make amends for the injustice of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. Assuming that going into the closing stages with a slight advantage and an extra man would translate into inevitable glory. Despite missing their talisman their captain, they still had more than enough tranquiliser darts to contain the strong rivals at a distance.

Instead, it was a case of counting their poulets too early. After being behind on the scoreboard, the 14-man Boks ended up registering 19 consecutive points, reinforcing their reputation as a side who consistently deliver their finest rugby for the most demanding situations. Whereas beating New Zealand 43-10 in earlier this year was a message, now came conclusive proof that the top-ranked team are building an more robust mentality.

Set-Piece Superiority

If anything, Erasmus's experienced front eight are beginning to make opposing sides look less committed by comparison. The Scottish and English sides both had their moments over the weekend but did not have the same dominant forwards that systematically dismantled France to ruins in the closing period. Several up-and-coming young French forwards are emerging but, by the final whistle, the match was a mismatch in experience.

What was perhaps even more striking was the mental strength driving it all. Missing Lood de Jager – issued a 38th-minute straight red for a shoulder to the head of Thomas Ramos – the South Africans could easily have become disorganized. On the contrary they merely united and began pulling the deflated home team to what one former French international called “a place of suffering.”

Leadership and Inspiration

Post-game, having been hoisted around the Parisian stadium on the gigantic shoulders of the lock pairing to celebrate his 100th cap, the South African skipper, the inspirational figure, yet again highlighted how many of his players have been needed to overcome personal challenges and how he wished his team would likewise continue to inspire people.

The insightful David Flatman also made an astute observation on broadcast, suggesting that his results more and more make him the parallel figure of the Manchester United great. In the event that the world champions manage to claim a third straight world title there will be complete assurance. Should they fail to achieve it, the intelligent way in which the coach has refreshed a experienced team has been an object lesson to all.

Young Stars

Take for example his 23-year-old fly-half the newcomer who skipped over for the late try that effectively shattered the opposition line. Or Grant Williams, a further half-back with explosive speed and an more acute eye for a gap. Naturally it is an advantage to have the support of a gargantuan pack, with André Esterhuizen riding shotgun, but the ongoing metamorphosis of the Boks from intimidating giants into a side who can also move with agility and strike decisively is extraordinary.

Glimpses of French Quality

However, it should not be thought that the home side were completely dominated, despite their fading performance. Their winger's second try in the wing area was a clear example. The power up front that occupied the South African pack, the glorious long pass from Ramos and the try-scorer's execution into the advertising hoardings all demonstrated the hallmarks of a side with considerable ability, despite missing their captain.

However, that in the end was not enough, which really is a daunting prospect for competing teams. It would be impossible, for example, that Scotland could have trailed heavily to the Springboks and come galloping back in the way they did versus New Zealand. Notwithstanding the English team's strong finish, there remains a journey ahead before Steve Borthwick’s squad can be certain of competing with the South African powerhouses with high stakes.

European Prospects

Overcoming an improving Fiji was challenging on match day although the upcoming showdown against the New Zealand will be the match that accurately reflects their end-of-year series. The visitors are definitely still beatable, particularly without Jordie Barrett in their midfield, but when it comes to capitalizing on opportunities they are still a step ahead almost all the northern hemisphere teams.

Scotland were especially culpable of missing the chance to secure the decisive blows and question marks still apply to England’s perfect backline combination. It is fine finishing games strongly – and much preferable than losing them late on – but their admirable undefeated streak this year has so far shown just one success over elite-level teams, a close result over the French in February.

Next Steps

Thus the weight of this upround. Analyzing the situation it would appear a number of adjustments are likely in the starting lineup, with experienced individuals coming back to the lineup. In the pack, likewise, familiar faces should return from the start.

Yet everything is relative, in rugby as in life. In the lead-up to the next global tournament the {rest