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Certain wins carry double significance in the statement they broadcast. Within the flurry of weekend international rugby fixtures, it was the Saturday evening result in the French capital that will echo longest across the rugby world. Not just the final score, but also the style of achievement. To claim that South Africa demolished a number of established assumptions would be an understatement of the rugby year.

Surprising Comeback

So much for the notion, for instance, that the French team would rectify the unfairness of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. That entering the closing stages with a small margin and an extra man would lead to assumed success. Despite missing their talisman their scrum-half, they still had sufficient tranquiliser darts to contain the powerful opponents under control.

As it turned out, it was a case of assuming victory prematurely. Having been 17-13 down, the 14-man Boks finished by racking up 19 points without reply, strengthening their status as a team who consistently deliver their finest rugby for the most challenging circumstances. Whereas overpowering New Zealand in Wellington in September was a declaration, now came definitive evidence that the world’s No 1 side are cultivating an greater resilience.

Set-Piece Superiority

Actually, Erasmus's experienced front eight are increasingly make all other teams look laissez-faire by comparison. Both northern hemisphere teams each enjoyed their moments over the weekend but lacked entirely the same powerful carriers that systematically dismantled the French pack to landfill in the last half-hour. A number of talented young French forwards are developing but, by the final whistle, Saturday night was men against boys.

What was perhaps even more striking was the inner fortitude driving it all. In the absence of the second-rower – shown a red card in the first half for a dangerous contact of Thomas Ramos – the Springboks could might well have lost their composure. As it happened they just united and set about taking the deflated home team to what a retired hooker called “a place of suffering.”

Captaincy and Motivation

Following the match, having been carried around the Stade de France on the gigantic shoulders of two key forwards to mark his hundredth Test, the South African skipper, the flanker, repeatedly highlighted how many of his squad have been obliged to rise above off-field adversity and how he wished his squad would similarly continue to encourage people.

The insightful a commentator also made an shrewd observation on television, proposing that Erasmus’s record more and more make him the rugby coaching equivalent of Sir Alex Ferguson. If South Africa succeed in claim a third straight world title there will be no doubt whatsoever. Should they fall short, the clever way in which the mentor has refreshed a possibly veteran roster has been an masterclass to everyone.

New Generation

Consider his 23-year-old fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who sprinted past for the closing score that properly blew open the home defense. Or another half-back, a further half-back with explosive speed and an keener vision for space. Naturally it is an advantage to have the support of a dominant set of forwards, with the powerful center adding physicality, but the ongoing metamorphosis of the Springboks from physically imposing units into a team who can also display finesse and sting like bees is remarkable.

Glimpses of French Quality

However, it should not be thought that the home side were utterly overwhelmed, in spite of their fading performance. Damian Penaud’s additional score in the wing area was a clear example. The power up front that engaged the South African pack, the superb distribution from the full-back and Penaud’s finishing dive into the perimeter signage all demonstrated the hallmarks of a team with notable skill, despite missing their captain.

However, that ultimately proved not enough, which truly represents a daunting prospect for all other nations. It is inconceivable, for example, that Scotland could have trailed heavily to South Africa and come galloping back in the way they did in their fixture. Despite England’s last-quarter improvement, there still exists a journey ahead before Steve Borthwick’s squad can be assured of facing Erasmus’s green-clad giants with all at stake.

European Prospects

Overcoming an Pacific Island team proved tricky enough on the weekend although the next encounter against the the Kiwis will be the contest that properly defines their autumn. The All Blacks are not invincible, notably absent an influential back in their backline, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they are still a cut above most the home unions.

Scotland were notably at fault of failing to hammer home the final nails and doubts still surround England’s optimal back division. It is all very well ending matches well – and much preferable than losing them late on – but their notable nine-match unbeaten run this year has so far featured only one win over world-class sides, a one-point home victory over France in earlier in the year.

Next Steps

Thus the significance of this next weekend. Reading between the lines it would appear several changes are likely in the team selection, with experienced individuals coming back to the lineup. Up front, in the same way, first-choice players should be included from the beginning.

However perspective matters, in rugby as in reality. Between now and the next global tournament the {rest