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A number of triumphs deliver twofold significance in the statement they communicate. Amid the flurry of weekend Test matches, it was Saturday night's score in Paris that will echo most profoundly across the rugby world. Not only the final score, but the way the style of victory. To say that South Africa shattered various established theories would be an understatement of the calendar.

Surprising Comeback

Forget about the theory, for instance, that the French team would make amends for the injustice of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. Assuming that going into the last period with a small margin and an additional player would result in inevitable glory. Despite missing their star man their scrum-half, they still had more than enough strategies to contain the powerful opponents at a distance.

Instead, it was a case of celebrating too soon prematurely. Having been 17-13 down, the 14-man Boks concluded with registering 19 consecutive points, confirming their status as a team who increasingly save their best for the most demanding situations. While overpowering New Zealand in Wellington in the last quarter was a statement, here was conclusive proof that the top-ranked team are building an greater resilience.

Forward Dominance

If anything, Erasmus's champion Bok forwards are increasingly make everyone else look less intense by juxtaposition. Scotland and England each enjoyed their promising spells over the recent fixtures but did not have the same earthmovers that systematically dismantled the home side to rubble in the closing period. A number of talented young French forwards are emerging but, by the final whistle, Saturday night was a mismatch in experience.

Perhaps most impressive was the mental strength underpinning it all. In the absence of the second-rower – shown a dismissal before halftime for a dangerous contact of Thomas Ramos – the Springboks could easily have lost their composure. Instead they simply united and set about pulling the disheartened home team to what a retired hooker referred to as “a place of suffering.”

Leadership and Inspiration

Afterwards, having been carried around the Parisian stadium on the gigantic shoulders of two key forwards to mark his 100th cap, the team leader, the inspirational figure, yet again stressed how a significant number of his players have been obliged to conquer off-field adversity and how he hoped his team would similarly continue to motivate fans.

The ever-sage David Flatman also made an astute comment on television, stating that his results increasingly make him the rugby coaching equivalent of the Manchester United great. If South Africa do go on to claim a third straight world title there will be absolute certainty. In case they come up short, the clever way in which Erasmus has refreshed a experienced team has been an exemplary model to all.

Young Stars

Take for example his young playmaker the newcomer who skipped over for the late try that effectively shattered the home defense. Additionally the scrum-half, a further backline player with blistering pace and an more acute eye for a gap. Naturally it is an advantage to operate behind a gargantuan pack, with the powerful center providing support, but the ongoing metamorphosis of the South African team from physically imposing units into a team who can also float like butterflies and sting like bees is extraordinary.

Home Side's Moments

This is not to imply that France were totally outclassed, in spite of their fading performance. Their winger's later touchdown in the far side was a prime instance. The power up front that engaged the South African pack, the superb distribution from the playmaker and Penaud’s finishing dive into the sideline boards all exhibited the characteristics of a side with notable skill, without Dupont.

Yet that in the end was inadequate, which really is a humbling reality for all other nations. It would be impossible, for instance, that the visitors could have trailed heavily to the world champions and mounted a comeback in the way they did in their fixture. And for all the red rose's late resurgence, there still exists a distance to travel before the England team can be confident of competing with the world's top team with all at stake.

Home Nations' Tests

Defeating an developing Fijian side was challenging on the weekend although the next encounter against the New Zealand will be the contest that accurately reflects their autumn. The visitors are not invincible, notably absent an influential back in their midfield, but when it comes to taking their chances they are still a cut above almost all the European sides.

The Thistles were particularly guilty of not finishing off the killing points and doubts still surround England’s perfect backline combination. It is fine performing in the final quarter – and much preferable than succumbing at the death – but their notable undefeated streak this year has so far featured only one win over elite-level teams, a close result over Les Bleus in earlier in the year.

Future Prospects

Thus the importance of this coming Saturday. Analyzing the situation it would appear several changes are likely in the team selection, with key players coming back to the side. Up front, similarly, familiar faces should be included from the beginning.

But perspective matters, in rugby as in life. From now until the upcoming world championship the {rest