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Some victories deliver dual importance in the message they communicate. Within the barrage of weekend Test matches, it was Saturday night's outcome in the French capital that will resonate most profoundly across the globe. Not just the end result, but also the manner of achievement. To claim that South Africa overturned several widely-held beliefs would be an oversimplification of the calendar.

Shifting Momentum

So much for the idea, for example, that the French team would make amends for the disappointment of their World Cup elimination. The belief that entering the last period with a slight advantage and an numerical superiority would translate into assumed success. Despite missing their key player their captain, they still had sufficient tranquiliser darts to keep the big beasts safely at bay.

Instead, it was a case of assuming victory before time. After being behind on the scoreboard, the reduced Springboks concluded with racking up 19 points without reply, confirming their reputation as a side who more and more save their best for the most demanding circumstances. While defeating the All Blacks by a large margin in earlier this year was a statement, this was clear demonstration that the world’s No 1 side are developing an greater resilience.

Forward Dominance

If anything, the coach's experienced front eight are starting to make all other teams look less intense by contrast. The Scottish and English sides each enjoyed their promising spells over the recent fixtures but did not have the same dominant forwards that systematically dismantled the French pack to landfill in the last half-hour. A number of talented young home nation players are developing but, by the conclusion, the match was a mismatch in experience.

Perhaps most impressive was the psychological resilience underpinning it all. In the absence of the second-rower – issued a red card in the first half for a high tackle of the French full-back – the Springboks could might well have lost their composure. On the contrary they merely circled the wagons and proceeded to dragging the deflated home team to what a retired hooker described as “a place of suffering.”

Captaincy and Motivation

Post-game, having been carried around the Stade de France on the powerful backs of two key forwards to mark his century of appearances, the Springbok captain, Siya Kolisi, yet again highlighted how many of his players have been required to conquer off-field adversity and how he aspired his side would similarly continue to encourage others.

The perceptive a commentator also made an astute point on broadcast, proposing that Erasmus’s record increasingly make him the rugby's version of the Manchester United great. If South Africa manage to win a third successive World Cup there will be absolute certainty. Should they fall short, the intelligent way in which Erasmus has rejuvenated a possibly veteran team has been an exemplary model to other teams.

Young Stars

Consider his young playmaker the newcomer who darted through for the closing score that decisively broke the opposition line. Or another half-back, a second playmaker with explosive speed and an keener ability to spot openings. Undoubtedly it is beneficial to have the support of a dominant set of forwards, with the inside back providing support, but the steady transformation of the Springboks from physically imposing units into a squad who can also float like butterflies and sting like bees is hugely impressive.

Glimpses of French Quality

However, it should not be thought that the French team were totally outclassed, notwithstanding their limp finish. The wing's additional score in the far side was a clear example. The power up front that occupied the Bok forwards, the glorious long pass from the full-back and the winger's clinical finish into the sideline boards all displayed the characteristics of a team with notable skill, despite missing Dupont.

However, that turned out to be not enough, which is a sobering thought for all other nations. It would be impossible, for example, that the visitors could have fallen behind by 17 points to the world champions and fought back in the way they did in their fixture. And for all the red rose's strong finish, there still exists a gap to close before Steve Borthwick’s squad can be certain of standing up to Erasmus’s green-clad giants with high stakes.

European Prospects

Beating an Pacific Island team was challenging on Saturday although the forthcoming clash against the New Zealand will be the contest that properly defines their November Tests. New Zealand are definitely still beatable, particularly without their key midfielder in their backline, but when it comes to capitalizing on opportunities they remain a step ahead almost all the home unions.

The Scottish team were especially culpable of failing to hammer home the final nails and uncertainties still hang over the English side's optimal back division. It is all very well performing in the final quarter – and infinitely better than fading in the closing stages – but their notable undefeated streak this year has so far included just a single victory over top-drawer opposition, a one-point home victory over France in February.

Future Prospects

Thus the importance of this upround. Analyzing the situation it would appear various alterations are anticipated in the matchday squad, with key players coming back to the lineup. Up front, in the same way, first-choice players should all be back from the beginning.

But everything is relative, in competition as in life. Between now and the upcoming world championship the {rest