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Certain wins send dual importance in the message they communicate. Within the barrage of weekend international rugby fixtures, it was Saturday night's score in the French capital that will linger longest across the rugby world. Not only the final score, but equally the style of achievement. To claim that South Africa demolished various widely-held beliefs would be an modest description of the calendar.

Surprising Comeback

Discard the notion, for instance, that France would avenge the unfairness of their World Cup elimination. That entering the final quarter with a narrow lead and an additional player would lead to assumed success. Even in the absence of their star man Antoine Dupont, they still had ample strategies to restrain the powerful opponents safely at bay.

On the contrary, it was a case of counting their poulets prematurely. Initially trailing by four points, the reduced Springboks concluded with racking up 19 points without reply, confirming their standing as a side who increasingly deliver their finest rugby for the most challenging scenarios. While overpowering New Zealand in Wellington in September was a statement, this was definitive evidence that the leading international squad are developing an more robust mentality.

Pack Power

Actually, the coach's title-winning pack are increasingly make opposing sides look less committed by contrast. Both northern hemisphere teams experienced their promising spells over the weekend but did not have the same dominant forwards that effectively reduced the home side to ruins in the closing period. Some promising young France's pack members are emerging but, by the final whistle, the match was hommes contre garçons.

Perhaps most impressive was the mental strength underpinning it all. Without the second-rower – issued a 38th-minute straight red for a dangerous contact of the French full-back – the South Africans could potentially faltered. As it happened they merely regrouped and began taking the deflated home team to what a retired hooker referred to as “a place of suffering.”

Guidance and Example

Post-game, having been hoisted around the venue on the powerful backs of two key forwards to celebrate his hundredth Test, the Springbok captain, Siya Kolisi, yet again stressed how several of his team have been needed to rise above life difficulties and how he wished his team would likewise continue to motivate others.

The perceptive an analyst also made an shrewd observation on television, proposing that Erasmus’s record progressively make him the parallel figure of the Manchester United great. If South Africa succeed in claim a third straight world title there will be complete assurance. Even if they fall short, the smart way in which the coach has rejuvenated a possibly veteran roster has been an masterclass to everyone.

New Generation

Take for example his young playmaker the newcomer who darted through for the late try that effectively shattered the home defense. Or Grant Williams, a further playmaker with explosive speed and an keener vision for space. Naturally it is beneficial to operate behind a massive forward unit, with the powerful center adding physicality, but the continuing evolution of the Boks from physically imposing units into a side who can also move with agility and deliver telling blows is remarkable.

French Flashes

However, it should not be thought that the French team were totally outclassed, notwithstanding their fading performance. Their winger's second try in the right corner was a clear example. The power up front that tied in the Bok forwards, the glorious long pass from the full-back and the try-scorer's execution into the advertising hoardings all displayed the characteristics of a side with considerable ability, even in the absence of their captain.

Yet that turned out to be insufficient, which truly represents a humbling reality for all other nations. It would be impossible, for example, that Scotland could have trailed heavily to South Africa and fought back in the way they did versus New Zealand. Notwithstanding the English team's last-quarter improvement, there still exists a journey ahead before the England team can be confident of facing Erasmus’s green-clad giants with everything on the line.

European Prospects

Beating an Pacific Island team posed difficulties on match day although the upcoming showdown against the All Blacks will be the fixture that properly defines their end-of-year series. The All Blacks are not invincible, notably absent an influential back in their midfield, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they are still a cut above the majority of the European sides.

The Thistles were especially culpable of not finishing off the killing points and question marks still hang over England’s perfect backline combination. It is acceptable ending matches well – and infinitely better than succumbing at the death – but their commendable winning sequence this year has so far shown just one success over top-drawer opposition, a close result over France in February.

Future Prospects

Hence the significance of this coming Saturday. Interpreting the signals it would appear a number of adjustments are expected in the team selection, with experienced individuals coming back to the lineup. Among the forwards, in the same way, first-choice players should be included from the beginning.

But everything is relative, in sport as in reality. In the lead-up to the upcoming world championship the {rest