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A number of triumphs deliver dual importance in the message they convey. Among the flurry of weekend rugby Tests, it was Saturday night's result in Paris that will resonate longest across both hemispheres. Not only the end result, but the way the approach of achievement. To say that the Springboks shattered various widely-held beliefs would be an understatement of the calendar.

Surprising Comeback

Discard the idea, for instance, that the French team would make amends for the unfairness of their World Cup last-eight loss. That entering the closing stages with a slight advantage and an extra man would lead to certain victory. Despite missing their talisman their scrum-half, they still had ample resources to contain the big beasts safely at bay.

As it turned out, it was a case of celebrating too soon too early. Initially behind on the scoreboard, the 14-man Boks concluded with registering 19 consecutive points, confirming their status as a squad who more and more reserve their top performance for the toughest scenarios. Whereas defeating the All Blacks by a large margin in the last quarter was a statement, now came clear demonstration that the top-ranked team are cultivating an more robust mentality.

Pack Power

In fact, Erasmus's experienced front eight are increasingly make everyone else look less intense by comparison. Both northern hemisphere teams both had their promising spells over the two-day period but lacked entirely the same powerful carriers that systematically dismantled the French pack to rubble in the final thirty minutes. Some promising young home nation players are emerging but, by the final whistle, the match was a mismatch in experience.

Perhaps most impressive was the psychological resilience supporting it all. Missing the second-rower – given a dismissal before halftime for a shoulder to the head of Thomas Ramos – the Boks could might well have faltered. As it happened they merely united and set about dragging the disheartened boys in blue to what an ex-France player described as “a place of suffering.”

Guidance and Example

Afterwards, having been hoisted around the Parisian stadium on the powerful backs of Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman to honor his 100th cap, the South African skipper, the inspirational figure, yet again emphasized how many of his team have been needed to overcome life difficulties and how he wished his side would similarly continue to motivate people.

The insightful David Flatman also made an shrewd observation on television, proposing that Erasmus’s record more and more make him the rugby coaching equivalent of the legendary football manager. If South Africa succeed in win a third successive World Cup there will be absolute certainty. In case they come up short, the smart way in which the mentor has refreshed a experienced roster has been an object lesson to all.

Emerging Talent

Consider his 23-year-old fly-half the newcomer who darted through for the decisive touchdown that properly blew open the French windows. Additionally another half-back, another playmaker with lightning acceleration and an more acute vision for space. Undoubtedly it helps to have the support of a massive forward unit, with the powerful center providing support, but the ongoing metamorphosis of the Boks from scowling heavyweights into a team who can also float like butterflies and sting like bees is extraordinary.

French Flashes

This is not to imply that France were completely dominated, in spite of their weak ending. Their winger's second try in the far side was a good illustration. The set-piece strength that engaged the Bok forwards, the glorious long pass from the full-back and the try-scorer's execution into the sideline boards all exhibited the characteristics of a squad with notable skill, without their captain.

However, that in the end was not enough, which is a humbling reality for competing teams. There is no way, for example, that the visitors could have trailed heavily to the world champions and fought back in the way they did against the All Blacks. And for all the English team's strong finish, there still exists a distance to travel before Steve Borthwick’s squad can be certain of facing the world's top team with high stakes.

Northern Hemisphere Challenges

Defeating an improving Fiji was challenging on the weekend although the forthcoming clash against the All Blacks will be the match that truly shapes their end-of-year series. The visitors are not invincible, especially missing Jordie Barrett in their midfield, but when it comes to taking their chances they continue to be a step ahead the majority of the home unions.

Scotland were particularly guilty of failing to hammer home the decisive blows and uncertainties still surround the English side's perfect backline combination. It is all very well finishing games strongly – and much preferable than succumbing at the death – but their admirable nine-match unbeaten run this year has so far shown just one success over elite-level teams, a one-point home victory over the French in earlier in the year.

Next Steps

Hence the importance of this next weekend. Analyzing the situation it would seem various alterations are anticipated in the starting lineup, with key players returning to the lineup. Up front, in the same way, familiar faces should all be back from the beginning.

However everything is relative, in sport as in life. In the lead-up to the upcoming world championship the {rest