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Some victories carry dual weight in the message they broadcast. Within the flood of weekend international rugby fixtures, it was the Saturday evening outcome in Paris that will linger longest across the globe. Not merely the conclusion, but also the approach of victory. To say that the Springboks overturned various comfortable beliefs would be an understatement of the calendar.

Surprising Comeback

Discard the theory, for instance, that the French team would rectify the unfairness of their World Cup elimination. Assuming that going into the closing stages with a small margin and an additional player would lead to certain victory. Even in the absence of their star man their captain, they still had sufficient resources to keep the big beasts safely at bay.

As it turned out, it was a case of counting their poulets before time. Having been 17-13 down, the reduced Springboks finished by registering 19 consecutive points, confirming their standing as a squad who more and more deliver their finest rugby for the most challenging scenarios. If beating New Zealand 43-10 in earlier this year was a statement, this was definitive evidence that the leading international squad are cultivating an even thicker skin.

Set-Piece Superiority

In fact, Erasmus's title-winning pack are increasingly make everyone else look less committed by contrast. Scotland and England each enjoyed their moments over the two-day period but did not have the same earthmovers that thoroughly overwhelmed the French pack to rubble in the last half-hour. Some promising young home nation players are developing but, by the conclusion, Saturday night was a mismatch in experience.

Perhaps most impressive was the psychological resilience supporting it all. In the absence of Lood de Jager – issued a dismissal before halftime for a high tackle of the French full-back – the Boks could easily have lost their composure. As it happened they merely circled the wagons and proceeded to taking the deflated French side to what a retired hooker called “the hurt locker.”

Leadership and Inspiration

Afterwards, having been hoisted around the Parisian stadium on the immense frames of the lock pairing to honor his hundredth Test, the South African skipper, the flanker, repeatedly highlighted how many of his team have been required to rise above life difficulties and how he wished his team would likewise continue to encourage people.

The insightful David Flatman also made an perceptive point on sports media, stating that the coach's achievements increasingly make him the rugby coaching equivalent of Sir Alex Ferguson. Should the Springboks do go on to win a third successive World Cup there will be complete assurance. Should they come up short, the clever way in which the coach has revitalized a experienced squad has been an exemplary model to all.

Emerging Talent

Take for example his 23-year-old fly-half the newcomer who sprinted past for the closing score that properly blew open the French windows. Or another half-back, a second backline player with explosive speed and an more acute eye for a gap. Of course it is beneficial to play behind a gargantuan pack, with the powerful center adding physicality, but the steady transformation of the Springboks from physically imposing units into a team who can also move with agility and sting like bees is hugely impressive.

Home Side's Moments

Which is not to say that France were completely dominated, despite their limp finish. The wing's later touchdown in the far side was a clear example. The power up front that engaged the South African pack, the glorious long pass from the full-back and the try-scorer's execution into the advertising hoardings all displayed the characteristics of a side with notable skill, despite missing their star man.

But even that in the end was insufficient, which is a humbling reality for competing teams. There is no way, for example, that Scotland could have trailed heavily to the Springboks and come galloping back in the way they did in their fixture. Despite the English team's strong finish, there still exists a distance to travel before Steve Borthwick’s squad can be certain of competing with the South African powerhouses with high stakes.

European Prospects

Beating an improving Fiji proved tricky enough on the weekend although the next encounter against the the Kiwis will be the fixture that truly shapes their November Tests. The All Blacks are definitely still beatable, notably absent an influential back in their midfield, but when it comes to taking their chances they continue to be a step ahead the majority of the European sides.

The Thistles were notably at fault of failing to hammer home the decisive blows and question marks still apply to the English side's optimal back division. It is acceptable finishing games strongly – and infinitely better than losing them late on – but their notable undefeated streak this year has so far included just a single victory over world-class sides, a narrow win over Les Bleus in February.

Future Prospects

Hence the significance of this upround. Analyzing the situation it would appear several changes are expected in the matchday squad, with established stars returning to the team. In the pack, in the same way, first-choice players should all be back from the outset.

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