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Certain wins deliver dual weight in the message they communicate. Among the barrage of weekend international rugby fixtures, it was the Saturday evening outcome in Paris that will resonate longest across the rugby world. Not only the conclusion, but the way the manner of victory. To claim that the Springboks demolished a number of widely-held theories would be an modest description of the season.

Surprising Comeback

Discard the idea, for example, that France would make amends for the disappointment of their World Cup last-eight loss. Assuming that going into the closing stages with a slight advantage and an additional player would result in assumed success. Even in the absence of their key player their captain, they still had sufficient strategies to keep the big beasts under control.

As it turned out, it was a case of counting their poulets before time. After being 17-13 down, the 14-man Boks concluded with registering 19 consecutive points, strengthening their status as a team who more and more reserve their top performance for the most challenging scenarios. If defeating the All Blacks by a large margin in the last quarter was a message, here was conclusive proof that the top-ranked team are building an more robust mentality.

Pack Power

Actually, Rassie Erasmus’s experienced front eight are starting to make everyone else look less committed by juxtaposition. The Scottish and English sides both had their moments over the weekend but lacked entirely the same powerful carriers that thoroughly overwhelmed France to landfill in the closing period. A number of talented young French forwards are developing but, by the conclusion, Saturday night was a mismatch in experience.

What was perhaps even more striking was the inner fortitude underpinning it all. Missing Lood de Jager – shown a 38th-minute straight red for a high tackle of the French full-back – the Boks could potentially become disorganized. As it happened they merely united and began pulling the disheartened French side to what a retired hooker described as “the hurt locker.”

Leadership and Inspiration

Afterwards, having been hoisted around the Stade de France on the gigantic shoulders of the lock pairing to honor his hundredth Test, the team leader, Siya Kolisi, once again stressed how several of his players have been needed to rise above life difficulties and how he hoped his team would similarly continue to motivate people.

The ever-sage an analyst also made an shrewd observation on television, suggesting that Erasmus’s record progressively make him the rugby's version of the legendary football manager. Should the Springboks do go on to secure another global trophy there will be complete assurance. In case they come up short, the clever way in which Erasmus has rejuvenated a potentially ageing team has been an object lesson to everyone.

Young Stars

Look no further than his young playmaker the rising star who darted through for the decisive touchdown that decisively broke the opposition line. Or Grant Williams, a further half-back with lightning acceleration and an keener ability to spot openings. Of course it is an advantage to play behind a massive forward unit, with the inside back riding shotgun, but the ongoing metamorphosis of the Boks from intimidating giants into a side who can also float like butterflies and sting like bees is extraordinary.

French Flashes

This is not to imply that France were totally outclassed, notwithstanding their limp finish. Damian Penaud’s additional score in the right corner was a good illustration. The forward dominance that engaged the visiting eight, the excellent wide ball from Ramos and the winger's clinical finish into the perimeter signage all demonstrated the traits of a squad with considerable ability, even in the absence of their star man.

Yet that in the end was not enough, which is a humbling reality for competing teams. It would be impossible, for example, that the Scottish side could have gone 17-0 down to South Africa and mounted a comeback in the way they did in their fixture. Despite the red rose's last-quarter improvement, there is a gap to close before the England team can be assured of standing up to Erasmus’s green-clad giants with everything on the line.

European Prospects

Beating an developing Fijian side posed difficulties on match day although the upcoming showdown against the the Kiwis will be the fixture that truly shapes their November Tests. The All Blacks are certainly vulnerable, particularly without an influential back in their midfield, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they continue to be a level above the majority of the European sides.

Scotland were especially culpable of missing the chance to secure the killing points and doubts still surround the English side's perfect backline combination. It is all very well ending matches well – and infinitely better than fading in the closing stages – but their notable undefeated streak this year has so far included just a single victory over elite-level teams, a narrow win over Les Bleus in February.

Future Prospects

Thus the importance of this coming Saturday. Interpreting the signals it would seem several changes are anticipated in the team selection, with key players being reinstated to the team. In the pack, likewise, regular starters should all be back from the outset.

However everything is relative, in competition as in reality. Between now and the upcoming world championship the {rest