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Certain wins deliver double significance in the statement they convey. Amid the flurry of weekend international rugby fixtures, it was Saturday night's result in Paris that will resonate most enduringly across the rugby world. Not just the final score, but equally the manner of achievement. To suggest that South Africa shattered several established theories would be an modest description of the rugby year.

Unexpected Turnaround

Forget about the theory, for instance, that the French team would avenge the injustice of their World Cup last-eight loss. Assuming that going into the last period with a small margin and an extra man would lead to certain victory. That even without their star man their captain, they still had ample tranquiliser darts to keep the big beasts under control.

Instead, it was a case of assuming victory before time. Initially behind on the scoreboard, the reduced Springboks concluded with registering 19 consecutive points, reinforcing their standing as a squad who more and more reserve their top performance for the toughest scenarios. While beating New Zealand 43-10 in earlier this year was a declaration, now came clear demonstration that the leading international squad are cultivating an even thicker skin.

Set-Piece Superiority

In fact, Erasmus's champion Bok forwards are beginning to make all other teams look less intense by comparison. The Scottish and English sides both had their moments over the weekend but did not have the same dominant forwards that effectively reduced the French pack to landfill in the final thirty minutes. A number of talented young French forwards are developing but, by the end, the encounter was hommes contre garçons.

Even more notable was the inner fortitude driving it all. In the absence of the second-rower – given a 38th-minute straight red for a shoulder to the head of the French full-back – the South Africans could easily have faltered. Instead they simply united and set about dragging the demoralized boys in blue to what one former French international described as “the hurt locker.”

Leadership and Inspiration

Following the match, having been hoisted around the venue on the gigantic shoulders of the lock pairing to honor his hundredth Test, the team leader, the inspirational figure, yet again highlighted how a significant number of his players have been required to overcome off-field adversity and how he aspired his team would in the same way continue to motivate people.

The ever-sage a commentator also made an astute observation on sports media, proposing that his results more and more make him the parallel figure of Sir Alex Ferguson. In the event that the world champions manage to win a third successive World Cup there will be no doubt whatsoever. Should they fall short, the clever way in which Erasmus has revitalized a experienced roster has been an object lesson to everyone.

Emerging Talent

Consider his 23-year-old fly-half the newcomer who skipped over for the late try that effectively shattered the French windows. And also another half-back, a second playmaker with lightning acceleration and an even sharper ability to spot openings. Of course it is beneficial to play behind a dominant set of forwards, with the powerful center riding shotgun, but the ongoing metamorphosis of the South African team from scowling heavyweights into a squad who can also float like butterflies and deliver telling blows is hugely impressive.

French Flashes

Which is not to say that France were utterly overwhelmed, notwithstanding their fading performance. Damian Penaud’s additional score in the wing area was a good illustration. The forward dominance that engaged the South African pack, the superb distribution from Ramos and the winger's clinical finish into the advertising hoardings all displayed the traits of a team with considerable ability, despite missing their captain.

However, that ultimately proved not enough, which truly represents a humbling reality for everybody else. There is no way, for example, that the Scottish side could have trailed heavily to the world champions and fought back in the way they did versus New Zealand. Despite the red rose's strong finish, there is a distance to travel before the national side can be certain of facing Erasmus’s green-clad giants with everything on the line.

European Prospects

Overcoming an Pacific Island team was challenging on Saturday although the upcoming showdown against the All Blacks will be the contest that truly shapes their November Tests. The All Blacks are definitely still beatable, particularly without an influential back in their midfield, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they continue to be a step ahead most the European sides.

Scotland were especially culpable of not finishing off the decisive blows and uncertainties still surround the English side's perfect backline combination. It is all very well performing in the final quarter – and infinitely better than succumbing at the death – but their admirable winning sequence this year has so far shown just one success over elite-level teams, a close result over France in earlier in the year.

Next Steps

Thus the weight of this upround. Interpreting the signals it would seem various alterations are anticipated in the starting lineup, with established stars being reinstated to the team. In the pack, likewise, regular starters should all be back from the beginning.

However context is key, in rugby as in existence. From now until the upcoming world championship the {rest