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A number of triumphs send double weight in the message they convey. Among the flurry of weekend Test matches, it was Saturday night's result in the French capital that will linger most enduringly across both hemispheres. Not only the end result, but the way the style of victory. To suggest that South Africa overturned various comfortable beliefs would be an oversimplification of the season.

Unexpected Turnaround

So much for the idea, for example, that the French team would rectify the injustice of their World Cup last-eight loss. Assuming that going into the final quarter with a narrow lead and an additional player would lead to certain victory. Despite missing their talisman their scrum-half, they still had sufficient strategies to keep the powerful opponents safely at bay.

On the contrary, it was a case of celebrating too soon before time. Having been trailing by four points, the reduced Springboks finished by racking up 19 points without reply, reinforcing their reputation as a team who increasingly deliver their finest rugby for the most demanding situations. Whereas overpowering New Zealand in Wellington in earlier this year was a declaration, here was conclusive proof that the world’s No 1 side are developing an greater resilience.

Pack Power

If anything, the coach's champion Bok forwards are starting to make opposing sides look less intense by juxtaposition. Both northern hemisphere teams both had their promising spells over the two-day period but lacked entirely the same dominant forwards that systematically dismantled the French pack to ruins in the final thirty minutes. Some promising young France's pack members are coming through but, by the final whistle, the encounter was hommes contre garçons.

Perhaps most impressive was the psychological resilience driving it all. In the absence of Lood de Jager – shown a 38th-minute straight red for a dangerous contact of the French full-back – the South Africans could potentially faltered. On the contrary they just circled the wagons and set about taking the deflated boys in blue to what a retired hooker described as “extreme physical pressure.”

Guidance and Example

Post-game, having been hoisted around the venue on the immense frames of two key forwards to mark his 100th cap, the Springbok captain, the inspirational figure, yet again highlighted how many of his team have been required to overcome life difficulties and how he aspired his team would in the same way continue to motivate people.

The insightful David Flatman also made an astute comment on broadcast, suggesting that Erasmus’s record more and more make him the rugby coaching equivalent of Sir Alex Ferguson. If South Africa do go on to win a third successive World Cup there will be absolute certainty. Even if they fail to achieve it, the intelligent way in which Erasmus has revitalized a experienced squad has been an object lesson to all.

New Generation

Consider his emerging number 10 the newcomer who darted through for the closing score that decisively broke the home defense. Or another half-back, another playmaker with explosive speed and an keener eye for a gap. Of course it is beneficial to play behind a massive forward unit, with the inside back providing support, but the ongoing metamorphosis of the South African team from scowling heavyweights into a side who can also move with agility and strike decisively is remarkable.

Glimpses of French Quality

However, it should not be thought that the French team were completely dominated, in spite of their limp finish. The wing's second try in the right corner was a good illustration. The power up front that tied in the Bok forwards, the superb distribution from Ramos and Penaud’s finishing dive into the perimeter signage all demonstrated the characteristics of a squad with notable skill, despite missing Dupont.

Yet that turned out to be inadequate, which really is a daunting prospect for everybody else. There is no way, for example, that the Scottish side could have trailed heavily to the Springboks and fought back in the way they did against the All Blacks. Notwithstanding the red rose's strong finish, there remains a distance to travel before Steve Borthwick’s squad can be certain of facing the world's top team with everything on the line.

Northern Hemisphere Challenges

Overcoming an Pacific Island team was challenging on match day although the forthcoming clash against the All Blacks will be the match that accurately reflects their November Tests. The All Blacks are not invincible, notably absent their key midfielder in their midfield, but when it comes to taking their chances they remain a level above most the home unions.

The Thistles were particularly guilty of not finishing off the final nails and question marks still hang over the English side's optimal back division. It is fine finishing games strongly – and much preferable than losing them late on – but their notable nine-match unbeaten run this year has so far included just a single victory over top-drawer opposition, a one-point home victory over Les Bleus in February.

Future Prospects

Thus the weight of this coming Saturday. Reading between the lines it would appear a number of adjustments are anticipated in the starting lineup, with key players being reinstated to the lineup. In the pack, in the same way, regular starters should be included from the beginning.

But everything is relative, in sport as in existence. Between now and the next global tournament the {rest