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Some victories send dual weight in the statement they communicate. Amid the flood of weekend international rugby fixtures, it was the Saturday evening outcome in Paris that will resonate longest across the globe. Not only the final score, but the way the manner of victory. To say that the Springboks demolished a number of established beliefs would be an understatement of the calendar.

Surprising Comeback

Discard the theory, for instance, that France would make amends for the unfairness of their World Cup last-eight loss. That entering the final quarter with a narrow lead and an numerical superiority would result in assumed success. Despite missing their talisman their captain, they still had sufficient strategies to contain the big beasts at a distance.

Instead, it was a case of counting their poulets before time. Initially 17-13 down, the reduced Springboks concluded with registering 19 consecutive points, confirming their status as a side who increasingly deliver their finest rugby for the most demanding circumstances. If defeating the All Blacks by a large margin in the last quarter was a declaration, here was definitive evidence that the world’s No 1 side are cultivating an even thicker skin.

Set-Piece Superiority

If anything, the coach's experienced front eight are increasingly make everyone else look laissez-faire by comparison. Both northern hemisphere teams both had their periods of promise over the two-day period but possessed nothing like the same earthmovers that thoroughly overwhelmed the home side to landfill in the final thirty minutes. A number of talented young home nation players are emerging but, by the final whistle, the encounter was men against boys.

Perhaps most impressive was the mental strength driving it all. Missing Lood de Jager – issued a 38th-minute straight red for a shoulder to the head of the opposition kicker – the Springboks could might well have faltered. As it happened they just circled the wagons and set about taking the deflated home team to what a retired hooker called “the hurt locker.”

Guidance and Example

Post-game, having been hoisted around the Stade de France on the immense frames of two key forwards to celebrate his hundredth Test, the South African skipper, Siya Kolisi, once again emphasized how several of his team have been required to overcome personal challenges and how he aspired his side would in the same way continue to encourage people.

The perceptive a commentator also made an perceptive point on broadcast, proposing that his results more and more make him the rugby's version of the legendary football manager. If South Africa do go on to secure another global trophy there will be no doubt whatsoever. Should they fall short, the smart way in which Erasmus has refreshed a potentially ageing roster has been an object lesson to all.

New Generation

Look no further than his young playmaker the newcomer who darted through for the decisive touchdown that effectively shattered the opposition line. Or another half-back, another half-back with explosive speed and an more acute vision for space. Of course it helps to have the support of a dominant set of forwards, with the powerful center riding shotgun, but the ongoing metamorphosis of the Boks from physically imposing units into a team who can also float like butterflies and deliver telling blows is hugely impressive.

Home Side's Moments

This is not to imply that the home side were utterly overwhelmed, despite their limp finish. Their winger's second try in the far side was a good illustration. The forward dominance that occupied the South African pack, the excellent wide ball from the playmaker and the winger's clinical finish into the sideline boards all exhibited the traits of a squad with considerable ability, despite missing their captain.

But even that in the end was insufficient, which truly represents a daunting prospect for all other nations. There is no way, for example, that the Scottish side could have gone 17-0 down to the world champions and mounted a comeback in the way they did in their fixture. Notwithstanding the English team's last-quarter improvement, there remains a gap to close before the England team can be confident of facing the world's top team with high stakes.

European Prospects

Overcoming an improving Fiji posed difficulties on match day although the next encounter against the the Kiwis will be the contest that accurately reflects their autumn. New Zealand are definitely still beatable, particularly without their key midfielder in their center, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they are still a level above most the northern hemisphere teams.

Scotland were especially culpable of not finishing off the killing points and question marks still hang over England’s ideal backline blend. It is all very well finishing games strongly – and far superior than losing them late on – but their notable undefeated streak this year has so far shown just one success over top-drawer opposition, a close result over Les Bleus in the winter.

Future Prospects

Therefore the significance of this next weekend. Analyzing the situation it would seem several changes are expected in the starting lineup, with established stars coming back to the lineup. Up front, similarly, first-choice players should return from the start.

But context is key, in rugby as in reality. From now until the upcoming world championship the {rest