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A number of triumphs deliver dual significance in the message they broadcast. Among the flurry of weekend Test matches, it was Saturday night's result in Paris that will linger longest across the globe. Not just the end result, but also the approach of victory. To say that South Africa demolished several widely-held beliefs would be an modest description of the calendar.

Shifting Momentum

Forget about the notion, for instance, that France would avenge the unfairness of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. The belief that entering the last period with a small margin and an additional player would lead to certain victory. Even in the absence of their key player Antoine Dupont, they still had more than enough strategies to contain the big beasts at a distance.

On the contrary, it was a case of counting their poulets prematurely. Initially behind on the scoreboard, the reduced Springboks finished by registering 19 consecutive points, confirming their standing as a team who increasingly reserve their top performance for the toughest circumstances. If beating New Zealand 43-10 in September was a statement, this was clear demonstration that the top-ranked team are building an more robust mentality.

Forward Dominance

Actually, Erasmus's experienced front eight are increasingly make opposing sides look laissez-faire by juxtaposition. Scotland and England experienced their periods of promise over the weekend but possessed nothing like the same dominant forwards that systematically dismantled the home side to rubble in the final thirty minutes. Some promising young French forwards are coming through but, by the final whistle, the encounter was men against boys.

Even more notable was the inner fortitude supporting it all. Missing Lood de Jager – given a dismissal before halftime for a dangerous contact of Thomas Ramos – the Boks could might well have become disorganized. On the contrary they merely united and set about dragging the deflated home team to what an ex-France player called “a place of suffering.”

Guidance and Example

Following the match, having been borne aloft around the venue on the gigantic shoulders of two key forwards to honor his century of appearances, the team leader, the flanker, yet again highlighted how a significant number of his squad have been obliged to conquer personal challenges and how he aspired his squad would similarly continue to motivate fans.

The ever-sage David Flatman also made an astute comment on sports media, proposing that his results more and more make him the rugby's version of the legendary football manager. In the event that the world champions succeed in win a third successive World Cup there will be absolute certainty. Should they fall short, the clever way in which Erasmus has rejuvenated a potentially ageing roster has been an masterclass to everyone.

Emerging Talent

Take for example his 23-year-old fly-half the newcomer who darted through for the decisive touchdown that properly blew open the French windows. Or another half-back, a second half-back with lightning acceleration and an even sharper vision for space. Of course it helps to operate behind a dominant set of forwards, with the inside back providing support, but the steady transformation of the Springboks from intimidating giants into a team who can also move with agility and deliver telling blows is extraordinary.

Glimpses of French Quality

However, it should not be thought that France were completely dominated, notwithstanding their fading performance. Damian Penaud’s later touchdown in the far side was a prime instance. The set-piece strength that engaged the Bok forwards, the excellent wide ball from Ramos and Penaud’s finishing dive into the advertising hoardings all exhibited the traits of a squad with significant talent, even in the absence of their captain.

Yet that in the end was not enough, which is a daunting prospect for competing teams. It would be impossible, for example, that Scotland could have trailed heavily to the world champions and fought back in the way they did against the All Blacks. And for all the English team's strong finish, there is a journey ahead before the national side can be assured of facing the world's top team with everything on the line.

Home Nations' Tests

Defeating an Pacific Island team proved tricky enough on match day although the next encounter against the the Kiwis will be the contest that truly shapes their November Tests. The All Blacks are not invincible, especially missing an influential back in their backline, but when it comes to capitalizing on opportunities they are still a level above the majority of the northern hemisphere teams.

The Thistles were especially culpable of missing the chance to secure the decisive blows and uncertainties still apply to the English side's optimal back division. It is all very well finishing games strongly – and much preferable than fading in the closing stages – but their admirable undefeated streak this year has so far included just a single victory over top-drawer opposition, a one-point home victory over Les Bleus in earlier in the year.

Next Steps

Thus the weight of this upround. Analyzing the situation it would appear several changes are anticipated in the team selection, with key players returning to the side. In the pack, similarly, regular starters should all be back from the beginning.

However perspective matters, in rugby as in life. From now until the next global tournament the {rest