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A number of triumphs deliver double importance in the message they convey. Amid the flurry of weekend international rugby fixtures, it was Saturday night's outcome in the French capital that will echo longest across the rugby world. Not only the end result, but also the approach of victory. To suggest that the Springboks overturned various established assumptions would be an oversimplification of the rugby year.

Unexpected Turnaround

Forget about the idea, for instance, that the French team would avenge the unfairness of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. Assuming that going into the closing stages with a slight advantage and an extra man would lead to assumed success. Even in the absence of their talisman their scrum-half, they still had sufficient resources to contain the big beasts at a distance.

On the contrary, it was a case of celebrating too soon before time. Having been 17-13 down, the reduced Springboks ended up registering 19 consecutive points, strengthening their standing as a squad who consistently reserve their top performance for the most challenging scenarios. Whereas overpowering New Zealand in Wellington in the last quarter was a statement, here was clear demonstration that the leading international squad are cultivating an greater resilience.

Forward Dominance

If anything, Rassie Erasmus’s champion Bok forwards are increasingly make all other teams look less committed by juxtaposition. Both northern hemisphere teams each enjoyed their moments over the two-day period but lacked entirely the same powerful carriers that effectively reduced the home side to landfill in the last half-hour. A number of talented young France's pack members are developing but, by the end, the encounter was men against boys.

Perhaps most impressive was the inner fortitude driving it all. In the absence of the second-rower – issued a red card in the first half for a shoulder to the head of the French full-back – the Springboks could potentially become disorganized. Instead they just regrouped and began taking the disheartened boys in blue to what a retired hooker called “a place of suffering.”

Captaincy and Motivation

Following the match, having been carried around the Stade de France on the gigantic shoulders of two key forwards to mark his hundredth Test, the team leader, Siya Kolisi, once again stressed how several of his players have been required to rise above personal challenges and how he aspired his team would similarly continue to encourage people.

The insightful a commentator also made an astute comment on broadcast, stating that his results increasingly make him the rugby's version of the legendary football manager. If South Africa succeed in win a third successive World Cup there will be absolute certainty. Should they fall short, the smart way in which Erasmus has rejuvenated a experienced team has been an object lesson to other teams.

Young Stars

Look no further than his young playmaker the newcomer who skipped over for the decisive touchdown that properly blew open the home defense. And also the scrum-half, another backline player with blistering pace and an more acute vision for space. Of course it is an advantage to operate behind a dominant set of forwards, with André Esterhuizen riding shotgun, but the continuing evolution of the South African team from physically imposing units into a side who can also display finesse and deliver telling blows is hugely impressive.

Home Side's Moments

This is not to imply that the home side were completely dominated, in spite of their limp finish. Their winger's later touchdown in the right corner was a clear example. The power up front that engaged the visiting eight, the excellent wide ball from Ramos and the winger's clinical finish into the sideline boards all displayed the characteristics of a squad with considerable ability, without their star man.

But even that turned out to be not enough, which really is a daunting prospect for competing teams. It is inconceivable, for example, that the Scottish side could have trailed heavily to South Africa and mounted a comeback in the way they did against the All Blacks. Notwithstanding the English team's last-quarter improvement, there is a distance to travel before Steve Borthwick’s squad can be confident of competing with Erasmus’s green-clad giants with high stakes.

Northern Hemisphere Challenges

Beating an Pacific Island team was challenging on the weekend although the next encounter against the All Blacks will be the contest that truly shapes their autumn. New Zealand are certainly vulnerable, particularly without Jordie Barrett in their center, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they remain a step ahead almost all the European sides.

Scotland were notably at fault of missing the chance to secure the final nails and doubts still apply to the English side's ideal backline blend. It is fine finishing games strongly – and infinitely better than fading in the closing stages – but their notable nine-match unbeaten run this year has so far included just a single victory over world-class sides, a close result over the French in earlier in the year.

Next Steps

Hence the weight of this upround. Analyzing the situation it would look like a number of adjustments are anticipated in the team selection, with experienced individuals coming back to the lineup. Up front, in the same way, familiar faces should all be back from the outset.

However context is key, in competition as in existence. In the lead-up to the next global tournament the {rest