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Some victories deliver dual significance in the message they convey. Among the flood of weekend international rugby fixtures, it was the Saturday evening result in the French capital that will resonate most enduringly across the globe. Not just the conclusion, but equally the style of achievement. To suggest that South Africa demolished several widely-held assumptions would be an modest description of the season.

Shifting Momentum

Forget about the idea, for instance, that France would make amends for the injustice of their World Cup last-eight loss. The belief that entering the last period with a slight advantage and an extra man would translate into certain victory. Despite missing their key player Antoine Dupont, they still had ample resources to contain the strong rivals safely at bay.

Instead, it was a case of assuming victory prematurely. After being trailing by four points, the South African side with a player sent off ended up scoring 19 unanswered points, reinforcing their standing as a squad who consistently save their best for the most challenging situations. If defeating the All Blacks by a large margin in earlier this year was a message, this was conclusive proof that the top-ranked team are developing an more robust mentality.

Set-Piece Superiority

Actually, Erasmus's experienced front eight are increasingly make everyone else look less intense by comparison. Both northern hemisphere teams both had their periods of promise over the weekend but lacked entirely the same earthmovers that effectively reduced the French pack to landfill in the closing period. A number of talented young home nation players are emerging but, by the end, the match was hommes contre garçons.

Even more notable was the mental strength underpinning it all. Without their lock forward – shown a 38th-minute straight red for a dangerous contact of the opposition kicker – the Boks could easily have faltered. Instead they merely regrouped and set about taking the deflated home team to what an ex-France player described as “a place of suffering.”

Leadership and Inspiration

Following the match, having been hoisted around the Parisian stadium on the powerful backs of the lock pairing to honor his 100th cap, the team leader, the flanker, once again highlighted how several of his players have been needed to conquer off-field adversity and how he hoped his squad would likewise continue to inspire fans.

The insightful an analyst also made an perceptive point on sports media, suggesting that the coach's achievements more and more make him the parallel figure of the legendary football manager. Should the Springboks succeed in claim a third straight world title there will be complete assurance. In case they come up short, the smart way in which the coach has refreshed a experienced team has been an object lesson to other teams.

Emerging Talent

Consider his emerging number 10 the newcomer who skipped over for the decisive touchdown that effectively shattered the home defense. Additionally Grant Williams, a second playmaker with blistering pace and an more acute eye for a gap. Naturally it is beneficial to play behind a massive forward unit, with the powerful center providing support, but the continuing evolution of the South African team from intimidating giants into a team who can also move with agility and sting like bees is remarkable.

French Flashes

This is not to imply that France were completely dominated, despite their weak ending. Their winger's additional score in the right corner was a clear example. The forward dominance that tied in the South African pack, the superb distribution from the playmaker and Penaud’s finishing dive into the perimeter signage all displayed the hallmarks of a side with significant talent, without Dupont.

But even that turned out to be inadequate, which is a humbling reality for everybody else. It is inconceivable, for instance, that the visitors could have trailed heavily to the world champions and mounted a comeback in the way they did against the All Blacks. Notwithstanding England’s strong finish, there is a journey ahead before the England team can be certain of facing Erasmus’s green-clad giants with everything on the line.

Home Nations' Tests

Overcoming an Pacific Island team proved tricky enough on match day although the upcoming showdown against the New Zealand will be the contest that truly shapes their end-of-year series. New Zealand are not invincible, especially missing their key midfielder in their midfield, but when it comes to capitalizing on opportunities they are still a step ahead almost all the northern hemisphere teams.

The Thistles were especially culpable of not finishing off the final nails and doubts still surround England’s perfect backline combination. It is acceptable ending matches well – and infinitely better than fading in the closing stages – but their admirable nine-match unbeaten run this year has so far featured only one win over world-class sides, a close result over the French in earlier in the year.

Next Steps

Hence the importance of this next weekend. Interpreting the signals it would look like a number of adjustments are likely in the matchday squad, with established stars returning to the lineup. In the pack, similarly, familiar faces should be included from the outset.

Yet perspective matters, in rugby as in existence. From now until the upcoming world championship the {rest