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A number of triumphs carry double significance in the statement they communicate. Within the flurry of weekend Test matches, it was Saturday night's result in Paris that will linger most profoundly across both hemispheres. Not just the end result, but the way the style of achievement. To claim that South Africa demolished various widely-held assumptions would be an understatement of the calendar.

Unexpected Turnaround

Forget about the idea, for example, that France would avenge the unfairness of their World Cup elimination. Assuming that going into the final quarter with a slight advantage and an extra man would result in assumed success. Despite missing their talisman Antoine Dupont, they still had sufficient resources to contain the big beasts at a distance.

Instead, it was a case of counting their poulets too early. After being 17-13 down, the reduced Springboks concluded with registering 19 consecutive points, strengthening their standing as a side who consistently reserve their top performance for the toughest circumstances. If defeating the All Blacks by a large margin in the last quarter was a message, now came clear demonstration that the top-ranked team are building an more robust mentality.

Pack Power

If anything, Erasmus's experienced front eight are beginning to make everyone else look less intense by juxtaposition. The Scottish and English sides both had their moments over the two-day period but did not have the same earthmovers that thoroughly overwhelmed the French pack to landfill in the final thirty minutes. Some promising young home nation players are coming through but, by the conclusion, the encounter was men against boys.

Even more notable was the mental strength underpinning it all. In the absence of their lock forward – given a 38th-minute straight red for a shoulder to the head of the French full-back – the Boks could potentially lost their composure. As it happened they merely circled the wagons and began pulling the demoralized French side to what a retired hooker called “extreme physical pressure.”

Guidance and Example

Post-game, having been hoisted around the venue on the powerful backs of the lock pairing to celebrate his hundredth Test, the team leader, the inspirational figure, yet again highlighted how a significant number of his squad have been needed to conquer personal challenges and how he wished his squad would in the same way continue to inspire fans.

The insightful a commentator also made an astute comment on broadcast, proposing that the coach's achievements more and more make him the parallel figure of Sir Alex Ferguson. Should the Springboks succeed in claim a third straight world title there will be complete assurance. In case they come up short, the smart way in which the coach has refreshed a potentially ageing team has been an masterclass to everyone.

New Generation

Look no further than his emerging number 10 the rising star who sprinted past for the decisive touchdown that effectively shattered the French windows. Additionally the scrum-half, another half-back with explosive speed and an more acute vision for space. Undoubtedly it helps to play behind a gargantuan pack, with the inside back providing support, but the ongoing metamorphosis of the Boks from scowling heavyweights into a side who can also move with agility and strike decisively is hugely impressive.

French Flashes

Which is not to say that France were totally outclassed, in spite of their weak ending. Their winger's later touchdown in the wing area was a prime instance. The set-piece strength that occupied the Bok forwards, the glorious long pass from the playmaker and the try-scorer's execution into the advertising hoardings all exhibited the hallmarks of a squad with notable skill, even in the absence of their star man.

But even that ultimately proved insufficient, which is a daunting prospect for all other nations. It would be impossible, for instance, that Scotland could have fallen behind by 17 points to the Springboks and mounted a comeback in the way they did in their fixture. And for all England’s late resurgence, there is a gap to close before the national side can be assured of facing Erasmus’s green-clad giants with high stakes.

Northern Hemisphere Challenges

Beating an developing Fijian side posed difficulties on match day although the upcoming showdown against the New Zealand will be the fixture that truly shapes their November Tests. The visitors are not invincible, especially missing an influential back in their backline, but when it comes to capitalizing on opportunities they are still a level above almost all the European sides.

Scotland were especially culpable of missing the chance to secure the killing points and uncertainties still apply to the English side's optimal back division. It is acceptable ending matches well – and far superior than fading in the closing stages – but their commendable nine-match unbeaten run this year has so far shown just one success over world-class sides, a close result over France in the winter.

Looking Ahead

Thus the weight of this next weekend. Reading between the lines it would appear several changes are expected in the team selection, with experienced individuals being reinstated to the lineup. In the pack, in the same way, familiar faces should all be back from the beginning.

Yet everything is relative, in sport as in existence. Between now and the next global tournament the {rest