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Certain wins send twofold weight in the message they communicate. Within the flurry of weekend international rugby fixtures, it was Saturday night's outcome in the French capital that will linger longest across the rugby world. Not only the final score, but also the style of victory. To claim that South Africa demolished a number of widely-held theories would be an oversimplification of the calendar.

Surprising Comeback

Forget about the idea, for example, that France would make amends for the injustice of their World Cup elimination. Assuming that going into the final quarter with a narrow lead and an extra man would translate into certain victory. That even without their talisman their scrum-half, they still had more than enough resources to restrain the powerful opponents safely at bay.

Instead, it was a case of celebrating too soon prematurely. Having been 17-13 down, the reduced Springboks ended up registering 19 consecutive points, confirming their standing as a side who consistently reserve their top performance for the most challenging circumstances. While defeating the All Blacks by a large margin in the last quarter was a statement, this was definitive evidence that the top-ranked team are building an more robust mentality.

Set-Piece Superiority

If anything, Rassie Erasmus’s experienced front eight are increasingly make all other teams look less committed by comparison. The Scottish and English sides experienced their promising spells over the weekend but lacked entirely the same powerful carriers that thoroughly overwhelmed the French pack to landfill in the last half-hour. Several up-and-coming young home nation players are developing but, by the end, the match was men against boys.

Perhaps most impressive was the psychological resilience underpinning it all. Without their lock forward – issued a red card in the first half for a high tackle of the opposition kicker – the Springboks could potentially become disorganized. As it happened they simply circled the wagons and began dragging the disheartened French side to what one former French international described as “a place of suffering.”

Captaincy and Motivation

Post-game, having been borne aloft around the Parisian stadium on the immense frames of two key forwards to celebrate his 100th cap, the team leader, the flanker, once again highlighted how many of his team have been obliged to conquer off-field adversity and how he wished his team would in the same way continue to encourage others.

The insightful David Flatman also made an astute comment on broadcast, proposing that Erasmus’s record progressively make him the rugby's version of the Manchester United great. If South Africa do go on to win a third successive World Cup there will be complete assurance. Even if they come up short, the intelligent way in which Erasmus has rejuvenated a possibly veteran roster has been an object lesson to everyone.

Young Stars

Consider his young playmaker the newcomer who skipped over for the late try that decisively broke the opposition line. Additionally another half-back, another half-back with explosive speed and an more acute vision for space. Naturally it helps to play behind a gargantuan pack, with André Esterhuizen providing support, but the continuing evolution of the Boks from intimidating giants into a side who can also float like butterflies and sting like bees is remarkable.

French Flashes

Which is not to say that the French team were utterly overwhelmed, notwithstanding their weak ending. Damian Penaud’s second try in the wing area was a good illustration. The set-piece strength that engaged the South African pack, the excellent wide ball from the playmaker and Penaud’s finishing dive into the sideline boards all demonstrated the traits of a side with considerable ability, despite missing their star man.

Yet that ultimately proved inadequate, which truly represents a sobering thought for all other nations. It is inconceivable, for instance, that the Scottish side could have trailed heavily to South Africa and come galloping back in the way they did in their fixture. Notwithstanding England’s strong finish, there still exists a distance to travel before the national side can be certain of standing up to Erasmus’s green-clad giants with all at stake.

European Prospects

Defeating an Pacific Island team proved tricky enough on the weekend although the forthcoming clash against the the Kiwis will be the contest that truly shapes their autumn. The All Blacks are not invincible, particularly without Jordie Barrett in their midfield, but when it comes to taking their chances they continue to be a level above most the European sides.

The Scottish team were particularly guilty of not finishing off the final nails and doubts still surround the red rose's perfect backline combination. It is all very well ending matches well – and much preferable than losing them late on – but their admirable undefeated streak this year has so far included just a single victory over top-drawer opposition, a narrow win over Les Bleus in earlier in the year.

Future Prospects

Therefore the importance of this coming Saturday. Analyzing the situation it would look like various alterations are expected in the matchday squad, with key players being reinstated to the side. In the pack, in the same way, first-choice players should return from the outset.

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