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Some victories send twofold significance in the statement they communicate. Among the flood of weekend international rugby fixtures, it was the Saturday evening outcome in Paris that will linger most profoundly across both hemispheres. Not merely the final score, but equally the approach of achievement. To say that South Africa shattered several established theories would be an understatement of the season.

Surprising Comeback

So much for the idea, for example, that France would make amends for the disappointment of their World Cup elimination. Assuming that going into the final quarter with a small margin and an additional player would result in assumed success. Even in the absence of their key player their captain, they still had ample resources to restrain the big beasts safely at bay.

Instead, it was a case of counting their poulets prematurely. After being trailing by four points, the South African side with a player sent off finished by registering 19 consecutive points, reinforcing their reputation as a side who consistently reserve their top performance for the most demanding circumstances. If defeating the All Blacks by a large margin in the last quarter was a statement, now came definitive evidence that the leading international squad are building an more robust mentality.

Set-Piece Superiority

If anything, the coach's title-winning pack are starting to make all other teams look laissez-faire by comparison. Scotland and England each enjoyed their moments over the weekend but did not have the same powerful carriers that systematically dismantled France to rubble in the final thirty minutes. Several up-and-coming young home nation players are coming through but, by the final whistle, the encounter was hommes contre garçons.

What was perhaps even more striking was the mental strength driving it all. In the absence of the second-rower – issued a red card in the first half for a shoulder to the head of the French full-back – the Boks could potentially faltered. As it happened they merely circled the wagons and proceeded to dragging the demoralized boys in blue to what a retired hooker called “extreme physical pressure.”

Guidance and Example

Afterwards, having been carried around the Parisian stadium on the gigantic shoulders of two key forwards to honor his hundredth Test, the South African skipper, Siya Kolisi, once again emphasized how a significant number of his team have been required to conquer off-field adversity and how he hoped his team would similarly continue to inspire people.

The ever-sage an analyst also made an shrewd point on broadcast, proposing that the coach's achievements progressively make him the rugby's version of the Manchester United great. If South Africa manage to secure another global trophy there will be complete assurance. Even if they fail to achieve it, the clever way in which Erasmus has revitalized a possibly veteran roster has been an exemplary model to all.

Young Stars

Consider his young playmaker Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who sprinted past for the late try that effectively shattered the opposition line. Or another half-back, a second backline player with explosive speed and an even sharper ability to spot openings. Undoubtedly it is beneficial to operate behind a dominant set of forwards, with André Esterhuizen adding physicality, but the continuing evolution of the Springboks from scowling heavyweights into a side who can also display finesse and deliver telling blows is remarkable.

French Flashes

This is not to imply that the French team were utterly overwhelmed, despite their weak ending. Their winger's additional score in the far side was a clear example. The power up front that tied in the South African pack, the superb distribution from the playmaker and Penaud’s finishing dive into the advertising hoardings all exhibited the characteristics of a side with notable skill, despite missing their star man.

However, that in the end was not enough, which is a daunting prospect for all other nations. There is no way, for instance, that Scotland could have fallen behind by 17 points to South Africa and come galloping back in the way they did in their fixture. Despite England’s last-quarter improvement, there remains a gap to close before Steve Borthwick’s squad can be confident of facing the South African powerhouses with high stakes.

European Prospects

Defeating an improving Fiji posed difficulties on match day although the upcoming showdown against the the Kiwis will be the match that accurately reflects their November Tests. The visitors are not invincible, especially missing Jordie Barrett in their midfield, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they are still a step ahead most the northern hemisphere teams.

The Scottish team were notably at fault of missing the chance to secure the decisive blows and doubts still surround the English side's ideal backline blend. It is all very well ending matches well – and far superior than succumbing at the death – but their commendable winning sequence this year has so far shown just one success over world-class sides, a one-point home victory over Les Bleus in the winter.

Next Steps

Therefore the importance of this coming Saturday. Analyzing the situation it would seem a number of adjustments are expected in the matchday squad, with established stars returning to the team. In the pack, in the same way, familiar faces should all be back from the beginning.

But context is key, in sport as in life. Between now and the upcoming world championship the {rest