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Certain wins deliver dual weight in the statement they broadcast. Among the barrage of weekend rugby Tests, it was Saturday night's outcome in the French capital that will linger longest across the globe. Not merely the final score, but equally the style of victory. To say that the Springboks shattered several widely-held assumptions would be an understatement of the rugby year.

Shifting Momentum

So much for the notion, for example, that the French team would avenge the disappointment of their World Cup last-eight loss. That entering the final quarter with a small margin and an additional player would lead to certain victory. Despite missing their talisman Antoine Dupont, they still had more than enough strategies to restrain the big beasts safely at bay.

As it turned out, it was a case of counting their poulets before time. Initially trailing by four points, the reduced Springboks ended up registering 19 consecutive points, confirming their status as a side who increasingly reserve their top performance for the most demanding circumstances. If overpowering New Zealand in Wellington in earlier this year was a declaration, this was definitive evidence that the world’s No 1 side are developing an greater resilience.

Forward Dominance

Actually, the coach's champion Bok forwards are beginning to make everyone else look less intense by juxtaposition. Scotland and England experienced their moments over the weekend but did not have the same dominant forwards that thoroughly overwhelmed the French pack to rubble in the closing period. Some promising young French forwards are developing but, by the end, Saturday night was a mismatch in experience.

Perhaps most impressive was the mental strength underpinning it all. In the absence of Lood de Jager – shown a 38th-minute straight red for a high tackle of the French full-back – the South Africans could easily have lost their composure. On the contrary they merely regrouped and began dragging the deflated boys in blue to what one former French international described as “extreme physical pressure.”

Captaincy and Motivation

Following the match, having been carried around the venue on the immense frames of two key forwards to celebrate his 100th cap, the team leader, Siya Kolisi, once again highlighted how several of his team have been obliged to overcome personal challenges and how he wished his side would similarly continue to encourage people.

The perceptive an analyst also made an astute comment on broadcast, stating that Erasmus’s record increasingly make him the rugby coaching equivalent of the legendary football manager. Should the Springboks manage to secure another global trophy there will be absolute certainty. In case they fall short, the intelligent way in which Erasmus has refreshed a experienced squad has been an masterclass to everyone.

New Generation

Take for example his emerging number 10 the newcomer who sprinted past for the late try that properly blew open the French windows. Or Grant Williams, a second backline player with blistering pace and an even sharper ability to spot openings. Undoubtedly it helps to have the support of a dominant set of forwards, with André Esterhuizen adding physicality, but the steady transformation of the Springboks from physically imposing units into a side 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 completely dominated, notwithstanding their limp finish. The wing's later touchdown in the wing area was a good illustration. The power up front that engaged the visiting eight, the superb distribution from the full-back and the try-scorer's execution into the advertising hoardings all displayed the hallmarks of a team with considerable ability, despite missing their star man.

However, that ultimately proved insufficient, which is a sobering thought for everybody else. It is inconceivable, for example, that the visitors could have fallen behind by 17 points to the Springboks and come galloping back in the way they did against the All Blacks. And for all the English team's last-quarter improvement, there still exists a journey ahead before the national side can be confident of standing up to the South African powerhouses with high stakes.

Northern Hemisphere Challenges

Overcoming an improving Fiji proved tricky enough on Saturday although the next encounter against the New Zealand will be the contest that accurately reflects their November Tests. New Zealand are not invincible, particularly without an influential back in their center, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they continue to be a level above the majority of the home unions.

The Thistles were notably at fault of failing to hammer home the killing points and doubts still apply to England’s optimal back division. It is all very well performing in the final quarter – and far superior than losing them late on – but their notable nine-match unbeaten run this year has so far featured only one win over elite-level teams, a close result over the French in February.

Looking Ahead

Hence the weight of this upround. Interpreting the signals it would seem a number of adjustments are expected in the team selection, with key players being reinstated to the lineup. In the pack, similarly, regular starters should all be back from the outset.

However perspective matters, in rugby as in life. Between now and the upcoming world championship the {rest