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Certain wins deliver double weight in the statement they convey. Within the barrage of weekend international rugby fixtures, it was the Saturday evening score in the French capital that will echo longest across the rugby world. Not just the final score, but the way the style of victory. To claim that South Africa overturned various comfortable beliefs would be an modest description of the rugby year.

Shifting Momentum

Forget about the notion, for example, that the French team would rectify the unfairness of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. Assuming that going into the closing stages with a slight advantage and an numerical superiority would result in assumed success. Despite missing their star man Antoine Dupont, they still had sufficient resources to restrain the powerful opponents under control.

On the contrary, it was a case of counting their poulets prematurely. After being 17-13 down, the reduced Springboks concluded with racking up 19 points without reply, reinforcing their reputation as a team who increasingly save their best for the toughest scenarios. While defeating the All Blacks by a large margin in earlier this year was a declaration, here was definitive evidence that the top-ranked team are building an greater resilience.

Forward Dominance

If anything, Erasmus's title-winning pack are beginning to make everyone else look laissez-faire by contrast. The Scottish and English sides each enjoyed their promising spells over the weekend but possessed nothing like the same powerful carriers that systematically dismantled France to rubble in the closing period. Some promising young French forwards are developing but, by the end, the encounter was hommes contre garçons.

What was perhaps even more striking was the psychological resilience supporting it all. Without Lood de Jager – shown a 38th-minute straight red for a high tackle of the French full-back – the Boks could potentially faltered. As it happened they just united and proceeded to dragging the demoralized boys in blue to what a retired hooker referred to as “the hurt locker.”

Captaincy and Motivation

Following the match, having been hoisted around the Stade de France on the gigantic shoulders of Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman to mark his 100th cap, the Springbok captain, the flanker, once again stressed how several of his squad have been obliged to conquer off-field adversity and how he wished his squad would similarly continue to encourage others.

The ever-sage an analyst also made an perceptive point on sports media, suggesting that his results progressively make him the rugby's version of Sir Alex Ferguson. Should the Springboks succeed in claim a third straight world title there will be absolute certainty. Should they fail to achieve it, the clever way in which the coach has rejuvenated a experienced roster has been an masterclass to everyone.

Emerging Talent

Take for example his 23-year-old fly-half the newcomer who skipped over for the decisive touchdown that properly blew open the home defense. And also the scrum-half, another backline player with explosive speed and an even sharper vision for space. Of course it helps to have the support of a gargantuan pack, with the inside back riding shotgun, but the continuing evolution of the Boks from intimidating giants into a side who can also display finesse and sting like bees is hugely impressive.

French Flashes

This is not to imply that the home side were totally outclassed, in spite of their limp finish. Damian Penaud’s additional score in the wing area was a prime instance. The forward dominance that occupied the visiting eight, the glorious long pass from the playmaker and the winger's clinical finish into the perimeter signage all demonstrated the characteristics of a squad with significant talent, even in the absence of their star man.

But even that in the end was insufficient, which truly represents a daunting prospect for competing teams. There is no way, for instance, that Scotland could have trailed heavily to the Springboks and fought back in the way they did against the All Blacks. And for all the red rose's last-quarter improvement, there remains a journey ahead before the England team can be certain of standing up to the world's top team with everything on the line.

Home Nations' Tests

Beating an developing Fijian side proved tricky enough on the weekend although the upcoming showdown against the New Zealand will be the match that properly defines their November Tests. The visitors are definitely still beatable, especially missing an influential back in their center, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they continue to be a level above almost all the European sides.

The Thistles were particularly guilty of failing to hammer home the decisive blows and doubts still apply to the English side's ideal backline blend. It is fine performing in the final quarter – and far superior than succumbing at the death – but their notable winning sequence this year has so far featured only one win over top-drawer opposition, a one-point home victory over Les Bleus in February.

Next Steps

Hence the weight of this next weekend. Reading between the lines it would look like several changes are likely in the starting lineup, with established stars returning to the side. Up front, likewise, regular starters should all be back from the beginning.

But perspective matters, in competition as in existence. In the lead-up to the next global tournament the {rest