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A number of triumphs carry dual weight in the statement they communicate. Within the barrage of weekend Test matches, it was Saturday night's result in Paris that will resonate longest across the rugby world. Not just the end result, but equally the style of achievement. To say that the Springboks shattered several established theories would be an oversimplification of the calendar.

Surprising Comeback

Forget about the idea, for example, that France would rectify the injustice of their World Cup last-eight loss. The belief that entering the final quarter with a slight advantage and an extra man would result in inevitable glory. That even without their key player their captain, they still had sufficient strategies to contain the big beasts under control.

As it turned out, it was a case of counting their poulets too early. After being behind on the scoreboard, the South African side with a player sent off concluded with racking up 19 points without reply, reinforcing their standing as a squad who more and more deliver their finest rugby for the most demanding circumstances. While beating New Zealand 43-10 in September was a message, this was definitive evidence that the world’s No 1 side are building an even thicker skin.

Pack Power

If anything, Erasmus's champion Bok forwards are increasingly make everyone else look laissez-faire by juxtaposition. The Scottish and English sides both had their promising spells over the weekend but lacked entirely the same earthmovers that thoroughly overwhelmed the French pack to rubble in the final thirty minutes. Several up-and-coming young home nation players are developing but, by the final whistle, the match was a mismatch in experience.

Even more notable was the inner fortitude underpinning it all. Missing their lock forward – issued a dismissal before halftime for a dangerous contact of the French full-back – the Boks could potentially become disorganized. Instead they simply circled the wagons and proceeded to pulling the disheartened French side to what an ex-France player described as “a place of suffering.”

Leadership and Inspiration

Afterwards, having been hoisted around the Stade de France on the powerful backs of two key forwards to celebrate his hundredth Test, the Springbok captain, the flanker, once again emphasized how many of his team have been needed to rise above personal challenges and how he wished his team would likewise continue to motivate people.

The perceptive David Flatman also made an perceptive observation on sports media, stating that his results progressively make him the rugby's version of the Manchester United great. If South Africa succeed in claim a third straight world title there will be no doubt whatsoever. In case they fail to achieve it, the smart way in which Erasmus has refreshed a possibly veteran team has been an object lesson to everyone.

Young Stars

Consider his young playmaker the rising star who darted through for the late try that effectively shattered the French windows. Or Grant Williams, another playmaker with lightning acceleration and an more acute eye for a gap. Naturally it is beneficial to play behind a gargantuan pack, with André Esterhuizen providing support, but the steady transformation of the Springboks from scowling heavyweights into a side who can also display finesse and strike decisively is hugely impressive.

Glimpses of French Quality

Which is not to say that the home side were completely dominated, notwithstanding their limp finish. Their winger's second try in the wing area was a clear example. The forward dominance that engaged the Bok forwards, the superb distribution from the playmaker and the winger's clinical finish into the advertising hoardings all demonstrated the characteristics of a team with notable skill, even in the absence of their star man.

However, that ultimately proved inadequate, which really is a daunting prospect for all other nations. There is no way, for instance, that the visitors could have trailed heavily to the Springboks and mounted a comeback in the way they did in their fixture. Notwithstanding England’s last-quarter improvement, there still exists a journey ahead before Steve Borthwick’s squad can be certain of standing up to the world's top team with everything on the line.

Home Nations' Tests

Beating an improving Fiji posed difficulties on the weekend although the upcoming showdown against the New Zealand will be the contest that properly defines their November Tests. The All Blacks are definitely still beatable, especially missing their key midfielder in their backline, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they remain a cut above almost all the European sides.

Scotland were particularly guilty of failing to hammer home the decisive blows and doubts still apply to the English side's perfect backline combination. It is acceptable finishing games strongly – and much preferable than succumbing at the death – but their commendable undefeated streak this year has so far included just a single victory over top-drawer opposition, a one-point home victory over Les Bleus in earlier in the year.

Looking Ahead

Thus the significance of this upround. Interpreting the signals it would look like a number of adjustments are expected in the matchday squad, with established stars coming back to the lineup. Up front, in the same way, familiar faces should return from the beginning.

But perspective matters, in competition as in life. In the lead-up to the upcoming world championship the {rest