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A number of triumphs deliver dual weight in the message they convey. Within the barrage of weekend rugby Tests, it was Saturday night's score in Paris that will linger longest across the globe. Not only the final score, but also the style of success. To say that the Springboks overturned a number of widely-held assumptions would be an understatement of the season.

Unexpected Turnaround

So much for the theory, for example, that France would avenge the injustice of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. The belief that entering the last period with a slight advantage and an additional player would lead to inevitable glory. Despite missing their key player Antoine Dupont, they still had ample tranquiliser darts to contain the strong rivals at a distance.

As it turned out, it was a case of counting their poulets prematurely. Having been behind on the scoreboard, the 14-man Boks finished by scoring 19 unanswered points, confirming their standing as a squad who more and more deliver their finest rugby for the most demanding situations. Whereas beating New Zealand 43-10 in earlier this year was a message, here was conclusive proof that the leading international squad are building an more robust mentality.

Pack Power

Actually, Erasmus's title-winning pack are increasingly make opposing sides look laissez-faire by juxtaposition. The Scottish and English sides experienced their promising spells over the recent fixtures but did not have the same powerful carriers that effectively reduced the home side to rubble in the last half-hour. Some promising young home nation players are developing but, by the end, Saturday night was men against boys.

What was perhaps even more striking was the mental strength driving it all. In the absence of their lock forward – shown a dismissal before halftime for a shoulder to the head of Thomas Ramos – the South Africans could potentially lost their composure. As it happened they just circled the wagons and set about dragging the deflated boys in blue to what one former French international described as “extreme physical pressure.”

Leadership and Inspiration

Post-game, having been carried around the Stade de France on the powerful backs of two key forwards to celebrate his 100th cap, the team leader, Siya Kolisi, repeatedly emphasized how a significant number of his squad have been needed to overcome life difficulties and how he hoped his team would similarly continue to motivate fans.

The ever-sage an analyst also made an shrewd observation on broadcast, stating that the coach's achievements progressively make him the rugby's version of the legendary football manager. In the event that the world champions do go on to claim a third straight world title there will be no doubt whatsoever. Even if they fail to achieve it, the smart way in which Erasmus has revitalized a experienced team has been an object lesson to all.

Emerging Talent

Take for example his emerging number 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who skipped over for the late try that decisively broke the French windows. Or the scrum-half, another playmaker with blistering pace and an keener vision for space. Naturally it helps to operate behind a massive forward unit, with the powerful center riding shotgun, but the steady transformation of the Springboks from scowling heavyweights into a team who can also move with agility and deliver telling blows is extraordinary.

French Flashes

This is not to imply that France were completely dominated, notwithstanding their fading performance. Their winger's second try in the far side was a good illustration. The set-piece strength that tied in the visiting eight, the superb distribution from the full-back and the winger's clinical finish into the advertising hoardings all demonstrated the characteristics of a team with significant talent, even in the absence of their captain.

However, that in the end was inadequate, which is a sobering thought for all other nations. There is no way, for example, that Scotland could have fallen behind by 17 points to the world champions and mounted a comeback in the way they did against the All Blacks. Despite the red rose's last-quarter improvement, there is a distance to travel before the England team can be assured of standing up to Erasmus’s green-clad giants with high stakes.

European Prospects

Defeating an developing Fijian side was challenging on the weekend although the upcoming showdown against the New Zealand will be the match that properly defines their autumn. The visitors are certainly vulnerable, especially missing their key midfielder in their backline, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they continue to be a cut above the majority of the home unions.

Scotland were particularly guilty of missing the chance to secure the decisive blows and uncertainties still surround the red rose's optimal back division. It is fine ending matches well – and much preferable than fading in the closing stages – but their admirable undefeated streak this year has so far featured only one win over world-class sides, a narrow win over Les Bleus in earlier in the year.

Next Steps

Thus the weight of this upround. Reading between the lines it would seem various alterations are expected in the team selection, with established stars being reinstated to the team. In the pack, likewise, regular starters should all be back from the start.

However context is key, in competition as in existence. From now until the upcoming world championship the {rest