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Certain wins deliver double weight in the message they broadcast. Within the flood of weekend international rugby fixtures, it was Saturday night's result in the French capital that will linger longest across the globe. Not only the final score, but equally the approach of victory. To claim that the Springboks shattered several widely-held theories would be an oversimplification of the season.

Surprising Comeback

Forget about the theory, for example, that the French team would rectify the disappointment of their World Cup last-eight loss. Assuming that going into the last period with a narrow lead and an numerical superiority would result in certain victory. Despite missing their key player their captain, they still had ample tranquiliser darts to contain the strong rivals under control.

As it turned out, it was a case of celebrating too soon before time. Initially trailing by four points, the reduced Springboks concluded with racking up 19 points without reply, strengthening their standing as a squad who increasingly deliver their finest rugby for the toughest circumstances. Whereas beating New Zealand 43-10 in earlier this year was a statement, this was clear demonstration that the leading international squad are cultivating an more robust mentality.

Set-Piece Superiority

Actually, Rassie Erasmus’s title-winning pack are starting to make opposing sides look laissez-faire by juxtaposition. Scotland and England each enjoyed their periods of promise over the two-day period but did not have the same dominant forwards that thoroughly overwhelmed the home side to ruins in the closing period. Several up-and-coming young French forwards are emerging but, by the end, Saturday night was men against boys.

What was perhaps even more striking was the inner fortitude supporting it all. In the absence of Lood de Jager – shown a 38th-minute straight red for a dangerous contact of the French full-back – the South Africans could might well have faltered. On the contrary they simply united and began dragging the demoralized French side to what an ex-France player called “the hurt locker.”

Leadership and Inspiration

Post-game, having been hoisted around the Parisian stadium on the immense frames of Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman to honor his 100th cap, the Springbok captain, Siya Kolisi, yet again stressed how a significant number of his players have been obliged to overcome off-field adversity and how he hoped his side would likewise continue to encourage fans.

The ever-sage an analyst also made an astute observation on sports media, stating that Erasmus’s record more and more make him the parallel figure of Sir Alex Ferguson. In the event that the world champions manage to claim a third straight world title there will be absolute certainty. In case they fail to achieve it, the clever way in which the mentor has rejuvenated a experienced team has been an exemplary model to everyone.

Young Stars

Consider his young playmaker the newcomer who darted through for the decisive touchdown that properly blew open the opposition line. Additionally the scrum-half, another half-back with blistering pace and an more acute ability to spot openings. Naturally it is beneficial to have the support of a gargantuan pack, with the powerful center providing support, but the continuing evolution of the Boks from physically imposing units into a team who can also display finesse and strike decisively is remarkable.

Home Side's Moments

However, it should not be thought that the French team were completely dominated, despite their limp finish. Their winger's additional score in the wing area was a prime instance. The set-piece strength that tied in the South African pack, the glorious long pass from Ramos and the try-scorer's execution into the advertising hoardings all demonstrated the traits of a squad with notable skill, without their captain.

However, that turned out to be inadequate, which is a daunting prospect for everybody else. It would be impossible, for instance, that Scotland could have gone 17-0 down to South Africa and come galloping back in the way they did in their fixture. Notwithstanding England’s late resurgence, there is a gap to close before Steve Borthwick’s squad can be confident of facing the world's top team with everything on the line.

Northern Hemisphere Challenges

Defeating an Pacific Island team proved tricky enough on the weekend although the forthcoming clash against the All Blacks will be the contest that properly defines their end-of-year series. New Zealand are certainly vulnerable, especially missing an influential back in their center, but when it comes to capitalizing on opportunities they are still a cut above almost all the northern hemisphere teams.

The Thistles were especially culpable of not finishing off the killing points and uncertainties still surround England’s perfect backline combination. It is acceptable ending matches well – and infinitely better than succumbing at the death – but their commendable nine-match unbeaten run this year has so far shown just one success over elite-level teams, a one-point home victory over Les Bleus in February.

Next Steps

Therefore the weight of this next weekend. Reading between the lines it would appear various alterations are expected in the starting lineup, with established stars coming back to the side. Up front, in the same way, familiar faces should be included from the beginning.

Yet everything is relative, in sport as in existence. Between now and the upcoming world championship the {rest