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Certain wins carry double weight in the statement they broadcast. Within the barrage of weekend Test matches, it was Saturday night's result in Paris that will resonate most enduringly across the rugby world. Not just the final score, but the way the manner of victory. To claim that South Africa overturned a number of comfortable theories would be an modest description of the rugby year.

Surprising Comeback

So much for the theory, for example, that the French team would rectify the injustice of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. Assuming that going into the last period with a narrow lead and an extra man would lead to certain victory. That even without their key player Antoine Dupont, they still had ample strategies to contain the big beasts safely at bay.

On the contrary, it was a case of assuming victory before time. Having been trailing by four points, the 14-man Boks finished by scoring 19 unanswered points, strengthening their reputation as a side who more and more reserve their top performance for the toughest scenarios. While defeating the All Blacks by a large margin in September was a message, here was conclusive proof that the leading international squad are building an greater resilience.

Forward Dominance

Actually, Erasmus's champion Bok forwards are increasingly make opposing sides look less intense by comparison. Both northern hemisphere teams each enjoyed their promising spells over the recent fixtures but did not have the same powerful carriers that thoroughly overwhelmed the French pack to landfill in the last half-hour. Some promising young home nation players are coming through but, by the conclusion, the match was men against boys.

Perhaps most impressive was the psychological resilience underpinning it all. Without Lood de Jager – issued a red card in the first half for a shoulder to the head of Thomas Ramos – the Springboks could potentially lost their composure. Instead they just regrouped and proceeded to taking the deflated home team to what an ex-France player referred to as “a place of suffering.”

Guidance and Example

Afterwards, having been borne aloft around the Stade de France on the powerful backs of two key forwards to celebrate his hundredth Test, the team leader, the inspirational figure, repeatedly emphasized how several of his team have been required to overcome life difficulties and how he aspired his side would in the same way continue to motivate people.

The perceptive David Flatman also made an perceptive observation on sports media, stating that Erasmus’s record more and more make him the rugby's version of the Manchester United great. If South Africa manage to secure another global trophy there will be complete assurance. Even if they fall short, the smart way in which the mentor has rejuvenated a experienced roster has been an masterclass to everyone.

Emerging Talent

Look no further than his emerging number 10 the newcomer who sprinted past for the closing score that properly blew open the opposition line. And also another half-back, a further backline player with blistering pace and an more acute ability to spot openings. Undoubtedly it is an advantage to operate behind a gargantuan pack, with André Esterhuizen adding physicality, but the continuing evolution of the Springboks from intimidating giants into a side who can also display finesse and strike decisively is hugely impressive.

French Flashes

This is not to imply that France were completely dominated, notwithstanding their limp finish. Damian Penaud’s second try in the wing area was a good illustration. The set-piece strength that engaged the Bok forwards, the glorious long pass from Ramos and Penaud’s finishing dive into the advertising hoardings all displayed the hallmarks of a squad with significant talent, despite missing Dupont.

Yet that in the end was insufficient, which truly represents a sobering thought for competing teams. It is inconceivable, for instance, that Scotland could have gone 17-0 down to South Africa and fought back in the way they did against the All Blacks. Notwithstanding the red rose's last-quarter improvement, there still exists a journey ahead before the national side can be certain of standing up to Erasmus’s green-clad giants with everything on the line.

European Prospects

Overcoming an improving Fiji was challenging on the weekend although the forthcoming clash against the New Zealand will be the contest that accurately reflects their end-of-year series. New Zealand are definitely still beatable, particularly without an influential back in their midfield, but when it comes to capitalizing on opportunities they continue to be a step ahead the majority of the European sides.

Scotland were especially culpable of failing to hammer home the decisive blows and question marks still hang over the English side's perfect backline combination. It is fine performing in the final quarter – and far superior than succumbing at the death – but their admirable undefeated streak this year has so far shown just one success over elite-level teams, a narrow win over Les Bleus in February.

Future Prospects

Therefore the weight of this upround. Interpreting the signals it would seem various alterations are expected in the matchday squad, with key players returning to the team. Up front, likewise, first-choice players should all be back from the start.

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