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A number of triumphs deliver twofold weight in the message they convey. Among the barrage of weekend international rugby fixtures, it was Saturday night's result in the French capital that will linger most enduringly across both hemispheres. Not merely the final score, but the way the style of victory. To say that the Springboks demolished a number of comfortable assumptions would be an oversimplification of the season.

Shifting Momentum

Forget about the notion, for instance, that France would avenge the disappointment of their World Cup last-eight loss. That entering the final quarter with a small margin and an numerical superiority would result in certain victory. Despite missing their star man their captain, they still had ample tranquiliser darts to contain the big beasts safely at bay.

As it turned out, it was a case of celebrating too soon prematurely. Initially trailing by four points, the reduced Springboks ended up scoring 19 unanswered points, reinforcing their reputation as a squad who increasingly reserve their top performance for the toughest situations. If beating New Zealand 43-10 in earlier this year was a statement, here was conclusive proof that the top-ranked team are building an more robust mentality.

Pack Power

In fact, Erasmus's champion Bok forwards are increasingly make all other teams look less committed by comparison. Scotland and England experienced their moments over the weekend but lacked entirely the same dominant forwards that thoroughly overwhelmed France to ruins in the last half-hour. Some promising young French forwards are emerging but, by the end, the match was men against boys.

Perhaps most impressive was the mental strength driving it all. Missing Lood de Jager – given a 38th-minute straight red for a shoulder to the head of the French full-back – the Boks could might well have lost their composure. Instead they simply circled the wagons and proceeded to taking the disheartened boys in blue to what one former French international described as “the hurt locker.”

Guidance and Example

Following the match, having been borne aloft around the Parisian stadium on the gigantic shoulders of Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman to mark his hundredth Test, the Springbok captain, the inspirational figure, yet again stressed how many of his team have been obliged to conquer personal challenges and how he wished his side would similarly continue to encourage others.

The ever-sage David Flatman also made an perceptive point on television, proposing that the coach's achievements increasingly make him the rugby coaching equivalent of the legendary football manager. Should the Springboks do go on to win a third successive World Cup there will be absolute certainty. In case they come up short, the smart way in which Erasmus has rejuvenated a possibly veteran team has been an object lesson to everyone.

New Generation

Consider his 23-year-old fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who darted through for the decisive touchdown that properly blew open the French windows. Additionally Grant Williams, a further playmaker with explosive speed and an keener eye for a gap. Of course it is an advantage to operate behind a gargantuan pack, with the inside back adding physicality, but the ongoing metamorphosis of the South African team from scowling heavyweights into a side who can also move with agility and sting like bees is extraordinary.

French Flashes

However, it should not be thought that the home side were utterly overwhelmed, in spite of their fading performance. Their winger's later touchdown in the right corner was a good illustration. The forward dominance that engaged the Bok forwards, the glorious long pass from Ramos and the try-scorer's execution into the sideline boards all demonstrated the hallmarks of a squad with notable skill, despite missing their star man.

Yet that in the end was not enough, which really is a sobering thought for everybody else. There is no way, for instance, that Scotland could have gone 17-0 down to South Africa and come galloping back in the way they did in their fixture. Despite England’s late resurgence, there remains a distance to travel before the England team can be certain of standing up to the South African powerhouses with everything on the line.

Home Nations' Tests

Defeating an developing Fijian side proved tricky enough on Saturday although the forthcoming clash against the the Kiwis will be the match that accurately reflects their November Tests. New Zealand are definitely still beatable, notably absent their key midfielder in their center, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they are still a step ahead the majority of the European sides.

Scotland were particularly guilty of failing to hammer home the decisive blows and uncertainties still apply to England’s optimal back division. It is fine performing in the final quarter – and infinitely better than fading in the closing stages – but their admirable winning sequence this year has so far shown just one success over top-drawer opposition, a close result over Les Bleus in earlier in the year.

Future Prospects

Thus the importance of this next weekend. Interpreting the signals it would seem a number of adjustments are anticipated in the matchday squad, with experienced individuals being reinstated to the team. In the pack, similarly, regular starters should be included from the outset.

However everything is relative, in sport as in existence. From now until the 2027 World Cup the {rest