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A number of triumphs carry dual weight in the statement they convey. Among the barrage of weekend rugby Tests, it was the Saturday evening outcome in Paris that will linger longest across the globe. Not just the conclusion, but equally the approach of success. To claim that the Springboks shattered various established assumptions would be an modest description of the season.

Surprising Comeback

Discard the theory, for example, that France would avenge the unfairness of their World Cup last-eight loss. That entering the final quarter with a small margin and an additional player would result in certain victory. That even without their talisman their scrum-half, they still had ample tranquiliser darts to restrain the big beasts at a distance.

On the contrary, it was a case of celebrating too soon before time. Having been trailing by four points, the 14-man Boks finished by scoring 19 unanswered points, confirming their status as a side who increasingly deliver their finest rugby for the toughest situations. Whereas overpowering New Zealand in Wellington in the last quarter was a message, this was conclusive proof that the top-ranked team are developing an greater resilience.

Set-Piece Superiority

Actually, the coach's champion Bok forwards are increasingly make opposing sides look less committed by juxtaposition. Both northern hemisphere teams both had their moments over the weekend but did not have the same powerful carriers that effectively reduced France to rubble in the last half-hour. Several up-and-coming young home nation players are emerging but, by the conclusion, Saturday night was a mismatch in experience.

Perhaps most impressive was the mental strength underpinning it all. Missing their lock forward – shown a 38th-minute straight red for a shoulder to the head of Thomas Ramos – the Boks could might well have lost their composure. Instead they merely circled the wagons and set about dragging the demoralized home team to what a retired hooker referred to as “a place of suffering.”

Leadership and Inspiration

Afterwards, having been hoisted around the Stade de France on the powerful backs of Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman to celebrate his hundredth Test, the Springbok captain, the inspirational figure, yet again emphasized how several of his team have been obliged to conquer personal challenges and how he wished his team would in the same way continue to encourage fans.

The ever-sage a commentator also made an astute point on sports media, proposing that Erasmus’s record more and more make him the rugby's version of Sir Alex Ferguson. Should the Springboks manage to claim a third straight world title there will be absolute certainty. Even if they fail to achieve it, the intelligent way in which Erasmus has rejuvenated a possibly veteran roster has been an exemplary model to everyone.

Emerging Talent

Look no further than his young playmaker Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who sprinted past for the late try that decisively broke the home defense. And also another half-back, a second playmaker with explosive speed and an keener eye for a gap. Of course it is beneficial to have the support of a massive forward unit, with the inside back riding shotgun, but the ongoing metamorphosis of the Springboks from scowling heavyweights into a side who can also move with agility and sting like bees is hugely impressive.

French Flashes

Which is not to say that France were utterly overwhelmed, in spite of their limp finish. Damian Penaud’s second try in the right corner was a prime instance. The set-piece strength that occupied the visiting eight, the superb distribution from the full-back and the try-scorer's execution into the sideline boards all exhibited the characteristics of a side with notable skill, without their captain.

However, that ultimately proved inadequate, which is a sobering thought for competing teams. There is no way, for example, that the Scottish side could have gone 17-0 down to the world champions and fought back in the way they did against the All Blacks. Despite the red rose's last-quarter improvement, there still exists a journey ahead before the England team can be assured of facing the world's top team with everything on the line.

European Prospects

Beating an Pacific Island team was challenging on Saturday although the forthcoming clash against the All Blacks will be the fixture that truly shapes their end-of-year series. The All Blacks are not invincible, notably absent Jordie Barrett in their midfield, but when it comes to taking their chances they continue to be a cut above most the home unions.

The Scottish team were especially culpable of missing the chance to secure the killing points and question marks still hang over the red rose's ideal backline blend. It is all very well performing in the final quarter – and infinitely better than succumbing at the death – but their notable nine-match unbeaten run this year has so far shown just one success over top-drawer opposition, a narrow win over the French in February.

Next Steps

Therefore the significance of this next weekend. Reading between the lines it would seem several changes are expected in the team selection, with experienced individuals being reinstated to the team. In the pack, similarly, first-choice players should all be back from the beginning.

Yet everything is relative, in sport as in existence. In the lead-up to the next global tournament the {rest