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Some victories send twofold significance in the lesson they convey. Among the flurry of weekend Test matches, it was the Saturday evening outcome in Paris that will echo longest across the rugby world. Not merely the conclusion, but the way the style of victory. To suggest that the Springboks overturned various widely-held beliefs would be an understatement of the rugby year.

Shifting Momentum

Discard the notion, for instance, that the French team would make amends for the injustice of their World Cup last-eight loss. That entering the final quarter with a small margin and an additional player would lead to inevitable glory. Despite missing their talisman Antoine Dupont, they still had more than enough tranquiliser darts to keep the powerful opponents safely at bay.

On the contrary, it was a case of celebrating too soon too early. Having been 17-13 down, the reduced Springboks concluded with scoring 19 unanswered points, reinforcing their status as a squad who increasingly reserve their top performance for the toughest circumstances. If defeating the All Blacks by a large margin in earlier this year was a message, here was conclusive proof that the world’s No 1 side are building an more robust mentality.

Forward Dominance

In fact, Erasmus's experienced front eight are beginning to make all other teams look less committed by comparison. Both northern hemisphere teams experienced their moments over the two-day period but possessed nothing like the same earthmovers that thoroughly overwhelmed the French pack to landfill in the final thirty minutes. A number of talented young France's pack members are emerging but, by the conclusion, the encounter was men against boys.

Perhaps most impressive was the psychological resilience driving it all. In the absence of the second-rower – shown a 38th-minute straight red for a shoulder to the head of the French full-back – the Boks could potentially lost their composure. Instead they merely regrouped and began pulling the deflated home team to what an ex-France player referred to as “a place of suffering.”

Leadership and Inspiration

Following the match, having been hoisted around the venue on the gigantic shoulders of Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman to celebrate his hundredth Test, the South African skipper, the inspirational figure, once again stressed how a significant number of his team have been needed to overcome personal challenges and how he hoped his side would likewise continue to motivate people.

The perceptive David Flatman also made an shrewd comment on broadcast, stating that his results more and more make him the parallel figure of Sir Alex Ferguson. If South Africa do go on to secure another global trophy there will be absolute certainty. Even if they come up short, the smart way in which Erasmus has refreshed a experienced roster has been an masterclass to other teams.

New Generation

Look no further than his young playmaker the rising star who skipped over for the decisive touchdown that properly blew open the French windows. Additionally the scrum-half, a further playmaker with blistering pace and an even sharper ability to spot openings. Undoubtedly it is an advantage to operate behind a massive forward unit, with the powerful center adding physicality, but the steady transformation of the South African team from physically imposing units into a team who can also float like butterflies and sting like bees is remarkable.

French Flashes

Which is not to say that France were utterly overwhelmed, in spite of their limp finish. Their winger's second try in the right corner was a clear example. The power up front that engaged the Bok forwards, the superb distribution from Ramos and the winger's clinical finish into the advertising hoardings all demonstrated the characteristics of a squad with considerable ability, despite missing their captain.

Yet that ultimately proved not enough, which truly represents a sobering thought for all other nations. It would be impossible, for example, that Scotland could have gone 17-0 down to South Africa and come galloping back in the way they did against the All Blacks. And for all the English team's late resurgence, there still exists a journey ahead before the England team can be assured of competing with Erasmus’s green-clad giants with everything on the line.

Northern Hemisphere Challenges

Defeating an Pacific Island team was challenging on Saturday although the forthcoming clash against the All Blacks will be the match that properly defines their end-of-year series. The visitors are definitely still beatable, notably absent an influential back in their midfield, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they remain a level above the majority of the home unions.

The Thistles were notably at fault of missing the chance to secure the killing points and doubts still surround the English side's perfect backline combination. It is fine ending matches well – and infinitely better than succumbing at the death – but their commendable undefeated streak this year has so far shown just one success over top-drawer opposition, a narrow win over Les Bleus in February.

Next Steps

Thus the significance of this coming Saturday. Reading between the lines it would look like a number of adjustments are likely in the starting lineup, with experienced individuals being reinstated to the team. Among the forwards, similarly, first-choice players should be included from the start.

However context is key, in competition as in existence. From now until the 2027 World Cup the {rest