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Some victories send dual weight in the statement they convey. Among the barrage of weekend Test matches, it was the Saturday evening result in Paris that will linger most profoundly across the rugby world. Not just the conclusion, but the way the manner of achievement. To claim that the Springboks overturned several established assumptions would be an modest description of the season.

Unexpected Turnaround

So much for the theory, for example, that France would avenge the injustice of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. The belief that entering the final quarter with a small margin and an extra man would translate into inevitable glory. That even without their key player their captain, they still had more than enough strategies to contain the big beasts safely at bay.

Instead, it was a case of celebrating too soon prematurely. Initially behind on the scoreboard, the 14-man Boks ended up racking up 19 points without reply, confirming their reputation as a team who increasingly save their best for the toughest situations. Whereas overpowering New Zealand in Wellington in earlier this year was a message, now came conclusive proof that the top-ranked team are building an greater resilience.

Forward Dominance

If anything, the coach's experienced front eight are starting to make opposing sides look less intense by contrast. Both northern hemisphere teams experienced their promising spells over the recent fixtures but lacked entirely the same dominant forwards that thoroughly overwhelmed France to landfill in the final thirty minutes. Some promising young France's pack members are developing but, by the end, Saturday night was a mismatch in experience.

Perhaps most impressive was the mental strength supporting it all. In the absence of Lood de Jager – issued a dismissal before halftime for a shoulder to the head of Thomas Ramos – the Springboks could potentially become disorganized. On the contrary they merely circled the wagons and began taking the demoralized boys in blue to what an ex-France player called “a place of suffering.”

Leadership and Inspiration

Afterwards, having been carried around the venue on the gigantic shoulders of two key forwards to celebrate his century of appearances, the Springbok captain, the flanker, repeatedly emphasized how a significant number of his team have been required to overcome life difficulties and how he hoped his side would likewise continue to motivate fans.

The perceptive a commentator also made an perceptive observation on television, proposing that the coach's achievements increasingly make him the rugby coaching equivalent of Sir Alex Ferguson. Should the Springboks succeed in secure another global trophy there will be no doubt whatsoever. Even if they come up short, the clever way in which the mentor has rejuvenated a possibly veteran roster has been an masterclass to everyone.

Young Stars

Look no further than his young playmaker the newcomer who sprinted past for the decisive touchdown that decisively broke the French windows. Additionally Grant Williams, another half-back with explosive speed and an more acute eye for a gap. Of course it is an advantage to have the support of a dominant set of forwards, with the powerful center riding shotgun, but the continuing evolution of the Boks from physically imposing units into a side who can also move with agility and deliver telling blows is remarkable.

French Flashes

Which is not to say that the home side were utterly overwhelmed, despite their weak ending. Their winger's additional score in the far side was a prime instance. The set-piece strength that occupied the Bok forwards, the glorious long pass from the full-back and the winger's clinical finish into the sideline boards all demonstrated the hallmarks of a team with considerable ability, despite missing their captain.

However, that ultimately proved insufficient, which really is a daunting prospect for all other nations. It would be impossible, for instance, that the visitors could have fallen behind by 17 points to the Springboks and come galloping back in the way they did against the All Blacks. Despite England’s strong finish, there still exists a journey ahead before the national side can be confident of facing Erasmus’s green-clad giants with everything on the line.

Home Nations' Tests

Overcoming an Pacific Island team posed difficulties on the weekend although the forthcoming clash against the New Zealand will be the fixture that properly defines their autumn. The visitors are not invincible, especially missing Jordie Barrett in their center, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they are still a cut above most the northern hemisphere teams.

Scotland were particularly guilty of failing to hammer home the final nails and doubts still surround England’s perfect backline combination. It is all very well finishing games strongly – and far superior than losing them late on – but their notable undefeated streak this year has so far shown just one success over top-drawer opposition, a narrow win over Les Bleus in the winter.

Future Prospects

Hence the weight of this upround. Reading between the lines it would look like several changes are expected in the team selection, with experienced individuals being reinstated to the lineup. Up front, similarly, regular starters should all be back from the beginning.

But perspective matters, in sport as in reality. Between now and the upcoming world championship the {rest