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A number of triumphs deliver double significance in the message they broadcast. Within the flurry of weekend rugby Tests, it was the Saturday evening result in the French capital that will linger longest across both hemispheres. Not just the final score, but the way the style of victory. To suggest that South Africa overturned various established beliefs would be an oversimplification of the season.

Shifting Momentum

Discard the idea, for example, that the French team would avenge the unfairness of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. The belief that entering the last period with a slight advantage and an extra man would result in inevitable glory. That even without their star man their captain, they still had ample resources to keep the big beasts under control.

As it turned out, it was a case of counting their poulets prematurely. Having been trailing by four points, the 14-man Boks finished by registering 19 consecutive points, reinforcing their reputation as a team who increasingly reserve their top performance for the toughest circumstances. While overpowering New Zealand in Wellington in earlier this year was a declaration, this was clear demonstration that the world’s No 1 side are cultivating an greater resilience.

Pack Power

Actually, the coach's title-winning pack are beginning to make all other teams look less committed by contrast. Both northern hemisphere teams each enjoyed their promising spells over the recent fixtures but did not have the same dominant forwards that thoroughly overwhelmed the home side to landfill in the final thirty minutes. A number of talented young French forwards are emerging but, by the conclusion, the match was a mismatch in experience.

Perhaps most impressive was the inner fortitude supporting it all. Missing Lood de Jager – shown a 38th-minute straight red for a dangerous contact of the French full-back – the South Africans could might well have faltered. As it happened they simply regrouped and set about pulling the demoralized boys in blue to what an ex-France player described as “the hurt locker.”

Captaincy and Motivation

Following the match, having been hoisted around the Parisian stadium on the immense frames of Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman to celebrate his century of appearances, the Springbok captain, the flanker, yet again highlighted how many of his players have been needed to overcome life difficulties and how he aspired his team would similarly continue to motivate people.

The ever-sage a commentator also made an shrewd comment on sports media, suggesting that the coach's achievements increasingly make him the parallel figure of Sir Alex Ferguson. Should the Springboks do go on to win a third successive World Cup there will be complete assurance. Should they fail to achieve it, the clever way in which Erasmus has refreshed a possibly veteran squad has been an masterclass to all.

Young Stars

Look no further than his emerging number 10 the newcomer who skipped over for the late try that decisively broke the French windows. Additionally the scrum-half, a second half-back with blistering pace and an even sharper eye for a gap. Undoubtedly it is beneficial to have the support of a dominant set of forwards, with the inside back adding physicality, but the steady transformation of the Springboks from intimidating giants into a team who can also move with agility and sting like bees is remarkable.

Glimpses of French Quality

Which is not to say that the home side were totally outclassed, in spite of their fading performance. Damian Penaud’s later touchdown in the wing area was a prime instance. The set-piece strength that occupied the South African pack, the superb distribution from the full-back and the winger's clinical finish into the advertising hoardings all displayed the hallmarks of a squad with significant talent, without their star man.

But even that turned out to be not enough, which really is a sobering thought for everybody else. 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 against the All Blacks. And for all the red rose's late resurgence, there still exists a journey ahead before the national side can be assured of competing with Erasmus’s green-clad giants with all at stake.

European Prospects

Overcoming an developing Fijian side proved tricky enough on match day although the upcoming showdown against the All Blacks will be the contest that truly shapes their November Tests. New Zealand are certainly vulnerable, especially missing their key midfielder in their backline, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they are still a cut above the majority of the European sides.

The Scottish team were particularly guilty of not finishing off the decisive blows and uncertainties still hang over England’s ideal backline blend. It is acceptable ending matches well – and far superior than succumbing at the death – but their admirable undefeated streak this year has so far featured only one win over top-drawer opposition, a one-point home victory over the French in earlier in the year.

Future Prospects

Thus the significance of this upround. Interpreting the signals it would appear several changes are expected in the team selection, with established stars returning to the side. In the pack, similarly, regular starters should all be back from the start.

However perspective matters, in rugby as in reality. From now until the upcoming world championship the {rest