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A number of triumphs send dual weight in the statement they broadcast. Among the flurry of weekend international rugby fixtures, it was the Saturday evening outcome in Paris that will linger most enduringly across both hemispheres. Not just the conclusion, but equally the style of achievement. To say that the Springboks shattered various widely-held assumptions would be an modest description of the rugby year.

Surprising Comeback

Forget about the idea, for instance, that the French team would avenge the injustice of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. That entering the last period with a narrow lead and an additional player would translate into certain victory. Despite missing their key player their scrum-half, they still had more than enough strategies to restrain the big beasts under control.

Instead, it was a case of assuming victory before time. Having been trailing by four points, the 14-man Boks concluded with registering 19 consecutive points, confirming their standing as a team who increasingly save their best for the most challenging situations. Whereas overpowering New Zealand in Wellington in the last quarter was a message, this was definitive evidence that the world’s No 1 side are building an more robust mentality.

Forward Dominance

If anything, Rassie Erasmus’s experienced front eight are increasingly make all other teams look less intense by juxtaposition. Both northern hemisphere teams both had their periods of promise over the recent fixtures but lacked entirely the same powerful carriers that thoroughly overwhelmed the French pack to landfill in the final thirty minutes. Some promising young home nation players are emerging but, by the conclusion, the encounter was men against boys.

What was perhaps even more striking was the mental strength underpinning it all. Without the second-rower – shown a 38th-minute straight red for a high tackle of the opposition kicker – the South Africans could potentially lost their composure. On the contrary they merely circled the wagons and proceeded to taking the disheartened home team to what an ex-France player referred to as “the hurt locker.”

Captaincy and Motivation

Post-game, having been hoisted around the Parisian stadium on the immense frames of two key forwards to celebrate his hundredth Test, the Springbok captain, Siya Kolisi, repeatedly highlighted how several of his squad have been required to overcome personal challenges and how he wished his squad would similarly continue to encourage fans.

The ever-sage an analyst also made an perceptive comment on sports media, suggesting that Erasmus’s record progressively make him the rugby's version of Sir Alex Ferguson. If South Africa manage to win a third successive World Cup there will be complete assurance. In case they come up short, the intelligent way in which the coach has rejuvenated a possibly veteran team has been an object lesson to all.

New Generation

Take for example his 23-year-old fly-half the newcomer who skipped over for the late try that effectively shattered the French windows. Or another half-back, a second backline player with blistering pace and an more acute eye for a gap. Undoubtedly it is an advantage to have the support of a massive forward unit, with André Esterhuizen riding shotgun, but the continuing evolution of the Springboks from intimidating giants into a team who can also display finesse and sting like bees is extraordinary.

Glimpses of French Quality

This is not to imply that France were totally outclassed, in spite of their weak ending. Their winger's second try in the wing area was a prime instance. The set-piece strength that engaged the South African pack, the superb distribution from Ramos and Penaud’s finishing dive into the sideline boards all demonstrated the traits of a team with considerable ability, without Dupont.

Yet that ultimately proved inadequate, which really is a daunting prospect for everybody else. There is no way, for instance, that the Scottish side could have trailed heavily to the world champions and mounted a comeback in the way they did in their fixture. Notwithstanding England’s strong finish, there still exists a distance to travel before the national side can be assured of facing the world's top team with high stakes.

Home Nations' Tests

Beating an developing Fijian side was challenging on the weekend although the upcoming showdown against the New Zealand will be the match that accurately reflects their autumn. The All Blacks are definitely still beatable, particularly without an influential back in their midfield, but when it comes to capitalizing on opportunities they remain a cut above most the European sides.

Scotland were especially culpable of not finishing off the decisive blows and uncertainties still apply to the red rose's optimal back division. It is fine ending matches well – and far superior than losing them late on – but their notable nine-match unbeaten run this year has so far shown just one success over top-drawer opposition, a narrow win over Les Bleus in the winter.

Looking Ahead

Thus the significance of this next weekend. Interpreting the signals it would seem various alterations are anticipated in the matchday squad, with established stars being reinstated to the lineup. Up front, likewise, familiar faces should all be back from the beginning.

Yet context is key, in competition as in reality. In the lead-up to the next global tournament the {rest