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Some victories send double importance in the lesson they convey. Amid the barrage of weekend international rugby fixtures, it was the Saturday evening result in the French capital that will echo longest across the globe. Not only the final score, but also the manner of victory. To say that the Springboks overturned various widely-held beliefs would be an modest description of the season.

Surprising Comeback

Discard the notion, for example, that France would avenge the disappointment of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. The belief that entering the closing stages with a slight advantage and an additional player would translate into assumed success. That even without their key player their captain, they still had sufficient tranquiliser darts to contain the powerful opponents under control.

As it turned out, it was a case of counting their poulets prematurely. After being trailing by four points, the 14-man Boks concluded with racking up 19 points without reply, confirming their status as a squad who consistently deliver their finest rugby for the toughest circumstances. While defeating the All Blacks by a large margin in September was a statement, this was clear demonstration that the top-ranked team are developing an even thicker skin.

Set-Piece Superiority

Actually, the coach's title-winning pack are beginning to make opposing sides look laissez-faire by contrast. Scotland and England experienced their promising spells over the two-day period but did not have the same powerful carriers that systematically dismantled the home side to landfill in the closing period. Some promising young France's pack members are coming through but, by the final whistle, the match was a mismatch in experience.

Perhaps most impressive was the psychological resilience supporting it all. Without Lood de Jager – given a dismissal before halftime for a shoulder to the head of the opposition kicker – the Boks could potentially faltered. On the contrary they just united and set about pulling the disheartened French side to what one former French international described as “a place of suffering.”

Guidance and Example

Post-game, having been hoisted around the Stade de France on the gigantic shoulders of the lock pairing to honor his century of appearances, the team leader, the flanker, once again stressed how a significant number of his squad have been obliged to rise above life difficulties and how he aspired his side would likewise continue to motivate others.

The ever-sage David Flatman also made an astute point on sports media, stating that Erasmus’s record more and more make him the rugby's version of the legendary football manager. If South Africa succeed in secure another global trophy there will be absolute certainty. In case they fail to achieve it, the intelligent way in which the coach has rejuvenated a potentially ageing squad has been an masterclass to everyone.

Emerging Talent

Look no further than his young playmaker the rising star who sprinted past for the late try that effectively shattered the home defense. Additionally the scrum-half, a second backline player with explosive speed and an even sharper eye for a gap. Undoubtedly it is an advantage to play behind a gargantuan pack, with the inside back providing support, but the ongoing metamorphosis of the Boks from intimidating giants into a side who can also display finesse and strike decisively is hugely impressive.

Home Side's Moments

However, it should not be thought that the home side were completely dominated, despite their limp finish. Damian Penaud’s later touchdown in the wing area was a good illustration. The forward dominance that occupied the South African pack, the glorious long pass from the full-back and the winger's clinical finish into the sideline boards all displayed the traits of a team with significant talent, without their captain.

Yet that turned out to be not enough, which is a sobering thought for all other nations. It would be impossible, for instance, that the Scottish side could have gone 17-0 down to South Africa and fought back in the way they did versus New Zealand. And for all the English team's last-quarter improvement, there remains a gap to close before the national side can be confident of competing with Erasmus’s green-clad giants with high stakes.

Northern Hemisphere Challenges

Defeating an developing Fijian side was challenging on match day although the next encounter against the All Blacks will be the fixture that truly shapes their November Tests. The All Blacks are definitely still beatable, especially missing Jordie Barrett in their backline, but when it comes to capitalizing on opportunities they remain a step ahead almost all the European sides.

Scotland were especially culpable of missing the chance to secure the final nails and question marks still hang over England’s ideal backline blend. It is acceptable performing in the final quarter – and far superior than succumbing at the death – but their commendable winning sequence this year has so far shown just one success over top-drawer opposition, a one-point home victory over France in the winter.

Next Steps

Therefore the importance of this next weekend. Analyzing the situation it would appear several changes are likely in the matchday squad, with established stars returning to the side. Up front, similarly, familiar faces should be included from the beginning.

Yet context is key, in rugby as in reality. From now until the next global tournament the {rest