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A number of triumphs send dual significance in the message they broadcast. Amid the flurry of weekend rugby Tests, it was Saturday night's result in the French capital that will echo most enduringly across the globe. Not just the conclusion, but the way the manner of achievement. To say that the Springboks demolished several widely-held theories would be an understatement of the rugby year.

Surprising Comeback

Discard the idea, for instance, that France would make amends for the injustice of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. Assuming that going into the last period with a narrow lead and an extra man would translate into assumed success. Despite missing their star man Antoine Dupont, they still had ample strategies to restrain the big beasts under control.

As it turned out, it was a case of celebrating too soon before time. Initially 17-13 down, the South African side with a player sent off concluded with scoring 19 unanswered points, confirming their status as a team who increasingly save their best for the toughest situations. If overpowering New Zealand in Wellington in September was a declaration, now came clear demonstration that the top-ranked team are building an even thicker skin.

Set-Piece Superiority

If anything, Erasmus's champion Bok forwards are increasingly make opposing sides look laissez-faire by contrast. Both northern hemisphere teams each enjoyed their periods of promise over the recent fixtures but lacked entirely the same earthmovers that effectively reduced the French pack to landfill in the last half-hour. A number of talented young home nation players are coming through but, by the final whistle, the encounter was hommes contre garçons.

Even more notable was the mental strength driving it all. In the absence of Lood de Jager – issued a dismissal before halftime for a high tackle of the French full-back – the South Africans could potentially faltered. Instead they simply regrouped and began taking the deflated home team to what an ex-France player called “extreme physical pressure.”

Captaincy and Motivation

Post-game, having been borne aloft around the venue on the gigantic shoulders of Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman to mark his century of appearances, the Springbok captain, Siya Kolisi, once again stressed how several of his squad have been needed to conquer personal challenges and how he hoped his side would likewise continue to motivate others.

The insightful a commentator also made an perceptive point on television, suggesting that his results more and more make him the rugby coaching equivalent of Sir Alex Ferguson. If South Africa manage to secure another global trophy there will be no doubt whatsoever. Should they come up short, the smart way in which the coach has refreshed a possibly veteran team has been an masterclass to other teams.

Emerging Talent

Look no further than his emerging number 10 the newcomer who skipped over for the decisive touchdown that effectively shattered the home defense. Or Grant Williams, a second playmaker with explosive speed and an keener ability to spot openings. Of course it is beneficial to play behind a dominant set of forwards, with the powerful center riding shotgun, but the steady transformation of the Boks from intimidating giants into a team who can also float like butterflies and strike decisively is extraordinary.

French Flashes

Which is not to say that the home side were utterly overwhelmed, despite their weak ending. The wing's second try in the far side was a clear example. The forward dominance that tied in the visiting eight, the glorious long pass from Ramos and the winger's clinical finish into the advertising hoardings all displayed the hallmarks of a squad with significant talent, even in the absence of Dupont.

But even that in the end was not enough, which is a daunting prospect for all other nations. There is no way, for example, that the visitors could have gone 17-0 down to South Africa and mounted a comeback in the way they did against the All Blacks. Despite the English team's last-quarter improvement, there remains a gap to close before the national side can be assured of standing up to Erasmus’s green-clad giants with everything on the line.

Home Nations' Tests

Beating an improving Fiji was challenging on the weekend although the forthcoming clash against the All Blacks will be the fixture that properly defines their end-of-year series. New Zealand are not invincible, particularly without an influential back in their midfield, but when it comes to capitalizing on opportunities they are still a step ahead almost all the home unions.

The Scottish team were particularly guilty of failing to hammer home the decisive blows and question marks still apply to the English side's optimal back division. It is fine ending matches well – and infinitely better than succumbing at the death – but their notable winning sequence this year has so far included just a single victory over elite-level teams, a narrow win over the French in the winter.

Future Prospects

Thus the importance of this next weekend. Interpreting the signals it would look like various alterations are expected in the team selection, with experienced individuals returning to the team. In the pack, in the same way, regular starters should be included from the start.

Yet context is key, in rugby as in existence. Between now and the next global tournament the {rest