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A number of triumphs send twofold weight in the message they convey. Amid the barrage of weekend Test matches, it was the Saturday evening result in the French capital that will echo longest across both hemispheres. Not merely the final score, but equally the approach of success. To suggest that the Springboks demolished a number of comfortable theories would be an understatement of the season.

Shifting Momentum

Forget about the theory, for instance, that the French team would avenge the injustice of their World Cup elimination. That entering the final quarter with a narrow lead and an numerical superiority would translate into certain victory. That even without their key player Antoine Dupont, they still had sufficient tranquiliser darts to keep the powerful opponents safely at bay.

On the contrary, it was a case of counting their poulets before time. After being trailing by four points, the South African side with a player sent off finished by racking up 19 points without reply, strengthening their standing as a squad who more and more reserve their top performance for the toughest situations. Whereas beating New Zealand 43-10 in earlier this year was a message, this was conclusive proof that the world’s No 1 side are cultivating an more robust mentality.

Set-Piece Superiority

In fact, the coach's champion Bok forwards are beginning to make everyone else look laissez-faire by contrast. Both northern hemisphere teams experienced their moments over the two-day period but lacked entirely the same powerful carriers that effectively reduced the home side to landfill in the last half-hour. Several up-and-coming young French forwards are coming through but, by the conclusion, Saturday night was a mismatch in experience.

Perhaps most impressive was the psychological resilience driving it all. In the absence of their lock forward – given a 38th-minute straight red for a shoulder to the head of the French full-back – the South Africans could might well have lost their composure. On the contrary they simply united and began pulling the demoralized boys in blue to what an ex-France player described as “extreme physical pressure.”

Leadership and Inspiration

Following the match, having been borne aloft around the venue on the powerful backs of two key forwards to celebrate his century of appearances, the Springbok captain, the flanker, repeatedly emphasized how many of his squad have been needed to rise above life difficulties and how he hoped his side would similarly continue to inspire others.

The ever-sage a commentator also made an perceptive point on television, suggesting that the coach's achievements more and more make him the rugby's version of Sir Alex Ferguson. In the event that the world champions do go on to win a third successive World Cup there will be no doubt whatsoever. Should they fall short, the smart way in which the mentor has rejuvenated a potentially ageing roster has been an object lesson to everyone.

Young Stars

Consider his young playmaker the rising star who sprinted past for the closing score that effectively shattered the opposition line. Additionally Grant Williams, a second playmaker with lightning acceleration and an even sharper vision for space. Of course it helps to operate behind a massive forward unit, with the powerful center riding shotgun, but the ongoing metamorphosis of the Springboks from intimidating giants into a team who can also float like butterflies and sting like bees is remarkable.

French Flashes

Which is not to say that the French team were totally outclassed, in spite of their fading performance. The wing's later touchdown in the wing area was a clear example. The power up front that engaged the visiting eight, the excellent wide ball from the playmaker and the try-scorer's execution into the perimeter signage all demonstrated the characteristics of a squad with considerable ability, despite missing their star man.

However, that in the end was inadequate, which is a sobering thought for competing teams. It is inconceivable, for instance, that the Scottish side could have fallen behind by 17 points to the world champions and fought back in the way they did against the All Blacks. And for all England’s last-quarter improvement, there remains a distance to travel before Steve Borthwick’s squad can be assured of standing up to Erasmus’s green-clad giants with everything on the line.

European Prospects

Overcoming an improving Fiji proved tricky enough on the weekend although the forthcoming clash against the New Zealand will be the fixture that accurately reflects their autumn. New Zealand are not invincible, particularly without Jordie Barrett in their midfield, but when it comes to capitalizing on opportunities they remain a step ahead the majority of the northern hemisphere teams.

The Thistles were notably at fault of not finishing off the killing points and question marks still hang over England’s ideal backline blend. It is fine performing in the final quarter – and far superior than succumbing at the death – but their admirable winning sequence this year has so far included just a single victory over top-drawer opposition, a close result over the French in February.

Future Prospects

Therefore the importance of this next weekend. Reading between the lines it would seem several changes are likely in the starting lineup, with established stars coming back to the team. Up front, in the same way, regular starters should return from the outset.

However perspective matters, in sport as in life. In the lead-up to the upcoming world championship the {rest