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Certain wins deliver dual significance in the message they convey. Among the flood of weekend rugby Tests, it was Saturday night's result in the French capital that will echo most profoundly across both hemispheres. Not merely the conclusion, but also the style of success. To claim that the Springboks overturned a number of comfortable theories would be an understatement of the calendar.

Shifting Momentum

So much for the notion, for instance, that France would make amends for the disappointment of their World Cup last-eight loss. Assuming that going into the last period with a narrow lead and an extra man would translate into inevitable glory. Despite missing their talisman Antoine Dupont, they still had more than enough resources to restrain the strong rivals at a distance.

As it turned out, it was a case of assuming victory before time. After being behind on the scoreboard, the 14-man Boks ended up racking up 19 points without reply, strengthening their reputation as a team who increasingly reserve their top performance for the most challenging situations. While beating New Zealand 43-10 in September was a declaration, here was conclusive proof that the leading international squad are building an greater resilience.

Forward Dominance

If anything, the coach's title-winning pack are starting to make opposing sides look laissez-faire by juxtaposition. The Scottish and English sides experienced their periods of promise over the weekend but lacked entirely the same dominant forwards that systematically dismantled the home side to landfill in the last half-hour. Several up-and-coming young France's pack members are developing but, by the end, the encounter was hommes contre garçons.

What was perhaps even more striking was the mental strength supporting it all. Without the second-rower – shown a dismissal before halftime for a high tackle of the opposition kicker – the South Africans could potentially faltered. Instead they simply circled the wagons and proceeded to pulling the disheartened home team to what an ex-France player referred to as “extreme physical pressure.”

Captaincy and Motivation

Following the match, having been hoisted around the Stade de France on the gigantic shoulders of the lock pairing to honor his 100th cap, the team leader, the flanker, repeatedly emphasized how many of his players have been required to conquer life difficulties and how he wished his team would likewise continue to encourage people.

The perceptive an analyst also made an astute point on broadcast, suggesting that his results increasingly make him the parallel figure of Sir Alex Ferguson. Should the Springboks do go on to win a third successive World Cup there will be complete assurance. Even if they fall short, the smart way in which Erasmus has refreshed a possibly veteran team has been an exemplary model to other teams.

New Generation

Consider his 23-year-old fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who sprinted past for the closing score that effectively shattered the opposition line. Or another half-back, a second backline player with explosive speed and an even sharper eye for a gap. Of course it helps to operate behind a dominant set of forwards, with the inside back providing support, but the ongoing metamorphosis of the Springboks from scowling heavyweights into a team who can also display finesse and sting like bees is remarkable.

Glimpses of French Quality

Which is not to say that the home side were totally outclassed, despite their limp finish. Their winger's additional score in the wing area was a good illustration. The power up front that tied in the South African pack, the glorious long pass from the full-back and the try-scorer's execution into the sideline boards all displayed the traits of a team with significant talent, even in the absence of their star man.

But even that ultimately proved not enough, which really is a sobering thought for everybody else. There is no way, for instance, that Scotland could have trailed heavily to the Springboks and mounted a comeback in the way they did versus New Zealand. And for all the English team's strong finish, there still exists a gap to close before the national side can be certain of competing with Erasmus’s green-clad giants with everything on the line.

Home Nations' Tests

Beating an developing Fijian side proved tricky enough on match day although the next encounter against the the Kiwis will be the fixture that properly defines their autumn. New Zealand are not invincible, notably absent their key midfielder in their midfield, but when it comes to taking their chances they continue to be a cut above the majority of the northern hemisphere teams.

Scotland were especially culpable of not finishing off the killing points and question marks still apply to England’s perfect backline combination. It is acceptable finishing games strongly – and much preferable than succumbing at the death – but their notable winning sequence this year has so far featured only one win over elite-level teams, a narrow win over the French in earlier in the year.

Looking Ahead

Therefore the significance of this next weekend. Analyzing the situation it would appear various alterations are expected in the starting lineup, with key players returning to the side. Among the forwards, similarly, first-choice players should be included from the beginning.

But everything is relative, in competition as in existence. In the lead-up to the upcoming world championship the {rest