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Certain wins send dual weight in the message they communicate. Among the flurry of weekend rugby Tests, it was the Saturday evening score in the French capital that will resonate most profoundly across the globe. Not just the end result, but also the approach of success. To say that South Africa shattered a number of comfortable assumptions would be an understatement of the rugby year.

Surprising Comeback

Forget about the notion, for example, that France would rectify the disappointment of their World Cup last-eight loss. Assuming that going into the last period with a small margin and an additional player would result in inevitable glory. That even without their key player their captain, they still had more than enough strategies to contain the powerful opponents safely at bay.

Instead, it was a case of assuming victory too early. Initially behind on the scoreboard, the South African side with a player sent off finished by registering 19 consecutive points, reinforcing their reputation as a side who increasingly deliver their finest rugby for the toughest circumstances. Whereas overpowering New Zealand in Wellington in earlier this year was a statement, now came conclusive proof that the leading international squad are developing an more robust mentality.

Pack Power

If anything, the coach's experienced front eight are increasingly make everyone else look less intense by comparison. The Scottish and English sides both had their moments over the recent fixtures but possessed nothing like the same earthmovers that effectively reduced France to landfill in the closing period. Some promising young French forwards are coming through but, by the end, the match was a mismatch in experience.

Perhaps most impressive was the inner fortitude supporting it all. Missing the second-rower – given a red card in the first half for a dangerous contact of the French full-back – the Springboks could easily have faltered. On the contrary they merely circled the wagons and set about pulling the demoralized home team to what a retired hooker called “the hurt locker.”

Guidance and Example

Post-game, having been borne aloft around the venue on the powerful backs of the lock pairing to mark his hundredth Test, the team leader, Siya Kolisi, repeatedly emphasized how a significant number of his players have been needed to conquer off-field adversity and how he wished his squad would similarly continue to inspire fans.

The insightful a commentator also made an astute observation on broadcast, proposing that Erasmus’s record more and more make him the rugby's version of the legendary football manager. Should the Springboks succeed in win a third successive World Cup there will be complete assurance. In case they fall short, the intelligent way in which the coach has revitalized a possibly veteran roster has been an object lesson to other teams.

Young Stars

Take for example his young playmaker Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who skipped over for the closing score that decisively broke the opposition line. And also the scrum-half, another playmaker with blistering pace and an keener ability to spot openings. Undoubtedly it is beneficial to have the support of a gargantuan pack, with André Esterhuizen providing support, but the ongoing metamorphosis of the South African team from intimidating giants into a team who can also display finesse and deliver telling blows is hugely impressive.

Home Side's Moments

However, it should not be thought that France were completely dominated, in spite of their weak ending. Damian Penaud’s second try in the wing area was a prime instance. The forward dominance that engaged the Bok forwards, the excellent wide ball from the full-back and the try-scorer's execution into the advertising hoardings all exhibited the characteristics of a side with considerable ability, even in the absence of their star man.

But even that in the end was inadequate, which really is a daunting prospect for competing teams. It would be impossible, for example, that the visitors could have gone 17-0 down to the world champions and fought back in the way they did against the All Blacks. Despite the English team's late resurgence, there remains a journey ahead before the national side can be assured of competing with the world's top team with all at stake.

Northern Hemisphere Challenges

Beating an developing Fijian side proved tricky enough on the weekend although the upcoming showdown against the New Zealand will be the fixture that truly shapes their November Tests. The visitors are definitely still beatable, particularly without Jordie Barrett in their backline, but when it comes to taking their chances they are still a level above almost all the northern hemisphere teams.

The Scottish team were especially culpable of failing to hammer home the decisive blows and doubts still hang over England’s optimal back division. It is acceptable performing in the final quarter – and infinitely better than fading in the closing stages – but their admirable winning sequence this year has so far included just a single victory over elite-level teams, a close result over France in earlier in the year.

Looking Ahead

Therefore the importance of this coming Saturday. Interpreting the signals it would look like a number of adjustments are likely in the starting lineup, with key players returning to the lineup. Up front, in the same way, familiar faces should be included from the beginning.

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