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A number of triumphs deliver double importance in the message they broadcast. Amid the barrage of weekend Test matches, it was Saturday night's outcome in the French capital that will echo longest across the rugby world. Not just the conclusion, but also the style of success. To suggest that the Springboks demolished various established theories would be an oversimplification of the season.

Shifting Momentum

Forget about the notion, for example, that the French team would make amends for the unfairness of their World Cup last-eight loss. That entering the closing stages with a narrow lead and an additional player would result in assumed success. Even in the absence of their talisman their captain, they still had sufficient tranquiliser darts to keep the powerful opponents at a distance.

As it turned out, it was a case of celebrating too soon prematurely. Having been trailing by four points, the 14-man Boks concluded with scoring 19 unanswered points, confirming their standing as a side who increasingly reserve their top performance for the most demanding circumstances. While defeating the All Blacks by a large margin in earlier this year was a statement, this was definitive evidence that the leading international squad are developing an more robust mentality.

Forward Dominance

In fact, Rassie Erasmus’s title-winning pack are starting to make opposing sides look less intense by contrast. The Scottish and English sides both had their periods of promise over the weekend but did not have the same dominant forwards that effectively reduced the home side to ruins in the final thirty minutes. A number of talented young France's pack members are developing but, by the end, the encounter was a mismatch in experience.

Even more notable was the inner fortitude driving it all. Missing Lood de Jager – shown a 38th-minute straight red for a high tackle of Thomas Ramos – the South Africans could might well have faltered. Instead they simply united and proceeded to dragging the deflated boys in blue to what one former French international referred to as “extreme physical pressure.”

Leadership and Inspiration

Post-game, having been carried around the Stade de France on the powerful backs of Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman to celebrate his hundredth Test, the South African skipper, the flanker, once again emphasized how several of his team have been needed to rise above personal challenges and how he aspired his side would likewise continue to motivate people.

The insightful an analyst also made an perceptive point on broadcast, suggesting that Erasmus’s record more and more make him the parallel figure of Sir Alex Ferguson. Should the Springboks manage to claim a third straight world title there will be absolute certainty. In case they fail to achieve it, the intelligent way in which the mentor has refreshed a potentially ageing roster has been an masterclass to all.

New Generation

Look no further than his 23-year-old fly-half the newcomer who darted through for the late try that properly blew open the home defense. And also another half-back, a second backline player with lightning acceleration and an keener ability to spot openings. Of course it helps to have the support of a gargantuan pack, with the inside back adding physicality, but the ongoing metamorphosis of the Boks from physically imposing units into a side who can also move with agility and deliver telling blows is hugely impressive.

French Flashes

However, it should not be thought that the French team were completely dominated, despite their fading performance. The wing's second try in the wing area was a prime instance. The forward dominance that tied in the South African pack, the glorious long pass from the playmaker and the try-scorer's execution into the sideline boards all exhibited the characteristics of a squad with considerable ability, despite missing their star man.

However, that in the end was inadequate, which truly represents a daunting prospect for everybody else. It is inconceivable, for instance, that the visitors could have trailed heavily to the Springboks and come galloping back in the way they did against the All Blacks. Despite the red rose's last-quarter improvement, there still exists a distance to travel before the England team can be assured of competing with Erasmus’s green-clad giants with high stakes.

European Prospects

Defeating an developing Fijian side posed difficulties on Saturday although the next encounter against the All Blacks will be the match that truly shapes their November Tests. The visitors are not invincible, notably absent an influential back in their midfield, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they remain a cut above most the home unions.

Scotland were particularly guilty of missing the chance to secure the killing points and uncertainties still apply to the red rose's perfect backline combination. It is acceptable performing in the final quarter – and far superior than succumbing at the death – but their notable undefeated streak this year has so far featured only one win over world-class sides, a narrow win over Les Bleus in earlier in the year.

Future Prospects

Thus the weight of this upround. Reading between the lines it would seem several changes are anticipated in the matchday squad, with experienced individuals coming back to the team. Up front, in the same way, first-choice players should all be back from the start.

But context is key, in rugby as in reality. From now until the upcoming world championship the {rest