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Some victories carry dual importance in the message they convey. Within the barrage of weekend international rugby fixtures, it was Saturday night's result in Paris that will echo most enduringly across the rugby world. Not just the conclusion, but also the manner of victory. To suggest that the Springboks overturned a number of established assumptions would be an oversimplification of the season.

Shifting Momentum

So much for the idea, for instance, that France would make amends for the injustice of their World Cup last-eight loss. That entering the closing stages with a narrow lead and an numerical superiority would translate into certain victory. Even in the absence of their star man Antoine Dupont, they still had ample tranquiliser darts to contain the powerful opponents at a distance.

On the contrary, it was a case of assuming victory prematurely. Having been 17-13 down, the South African side with a player sent off ended up registering 19 consecutive points, confirming their standing as a squad who increasingly reserve their top performance for the most demanding situations. Whereas beating New Zealand 43-10 in September was a message, this was definitive evidence that the leading international squad are building an greater resilience.

Set-Piece Superiority

In fact, Erasmus's experienced front eight are starting to make everyone else look laissez-faire by comparison. Both northern hemisphere teams experienced their periods of promise over the weekend but lacked entirely the same powerful carriers that thoroughly overwhelmed the French pack to landfill in the last half-hour. Some promising young home nation players are developing but, by the end, the match was a mismatch in experience.

Perhaps most impressive was the inner fortitude underpinning it all. In the absence of Lood de Jager – issued a 38th-minute straight red for a dangerous contact of the opposition kicker – the Springboks could easily have lost their composure. Instead they merely united and set about pulling the demoralized home team to what a retired hooker referred to as “extreme physical pressure.”

Captaincy and Motivation

Afterwards, having been carried around the Parisian stadium on the gigantic shoulders of two key forwards to mark his 100th cap, the South African skipper, the inspirational figure, repeatedly highlighted how a significant number of his team have been obliged to rise above off-field adversity and how he wished his side would likewise continue to inspire people.

The ever-sage David Flatman also made an shrewd comment on broadcast, stating that the coach's achievements more and more make him the rugby's version of the legendary football manager. Should the Springboks manage to win a third successive World Cup there will be absolute certainty. In case they come up short, the clever way in which Erasmus has rejuvenated a possibly veteran roster has been an masterclass to everyone.

Emerging Talent

Consider his 23-year-old fly-half the newcomer who sprinted past for the closing score that properly blew open the home defense. Additionally Grant Williams, a second playmaker with lightning acceleration and an more acute ability to spot openings. Naturally it is beneficial to play behind a gargantuan pack, with the powerful center riding shotgun, but the ongoing metamorphosis of the Springboks from scowling heavyweights into a team who can also float like butterflies and strike decisively is extraordinary.

Home Side's Moments

However, it should not be thought that France were utterly overwhelmed, despite their limp finish. Damian Penaud’s later touchdown in the right corner was a good illustration. The set-piece strength that engaged the visiting eight, the excellent wide ball from the full-back and the winger's clinical finish into the sideline boards all exhibited the traits of a team with considerable ability, even in the absence of their star man.

However, that in the end was insufficient, which truly represents a daunting prospect for competing teams. There is no way, for instance, that the visitors could have gone 17-0 down to the world champions and fought back in the way they did in their fixture. Despite the English team's late resurgence, there remains a journey ahead before the national side can be certain of facing Erasmus’s green-clad giants with everything on the line.

Northern Hemisphere Challenges

Beating an Pacific Island team proved tricky enough on match day although the upcoming showdown against the All Blacks will be the fixture that truly shapes their autumn. The visitors are definitely still beatable, particularly without their key midfielder in their backline, but when it comes to capitalizing on opportunities they continue to be a step ahead the majority of the home unions.

The Scottish team were notably at fault of not finishing off the decisive blows and question marks still apply to England’s ideal backline blend. It is acceptable finishing games strongly – and much preferable than fading in the closing stages – but their admirable winning sequence this year has so far included just a single victory over elite-level teams, a one-point home victory over the French in the winter.

Next Steps

Hence the importance of this upround. Analyzing the situation it would seem various alterations are expected in the starting lineup, with experienced individuals being reinstated to the team. Up front, similarly, first-choice players should be included from the outset.

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