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A number of triumphs send double significance in the lesson they broadcast. Among the barrage of weekend Test matches, it was the Saturday evening outcome in Paris that will linger longest across the globe. Not just the end result, but the way the manner of achievement. To claim that the Springboks demolished a number of widely-held assumptions would be an understatement of the rugby year.

Surprising Comeback

Discard the theory, for example, that the French team would avenge the injustice of their World Cup elimination. That entering the last period with a small margin and an extra man would translate into inevitable glory. Despite missing their talisman their captain, they still had ample resources to restrain the strong rivals under control.

As it turned out, it was a case of celebrating too soon before time. After being trailing by four points, the 14-man Boks finished by scoring 19 unanswered points, strengthening their standing as a side who more and more deliver their finest rugby for the most challenging circumstances. While beating New Zealand 43-10 in September was a declaration, here was clear demonstration that the world’s No 1 side are cultivating an even thicker skin.

Set-Piece Superiority

If anything, the coach's champion Bok forwards are starting to make opposing sides look laissez-faire by juxtaposition. Scotland and England both had their promising spells over the two-day period but did not have the same earthmovers that systematically dismantled the home side to landfill in the last half-hour. Some promising young French forwards are coming through but, by the end, the encounter was men against boys.

Even more notable was the inner fortitude supporting it all. Missing the second-rower – shown a 38th-minute straight red for a high tackle of the French full-back – the Springboks could might well have lost their composure. As it happened they just united and proceeded to dragging the demoralized French side to what an ex-France player called “the hurt locker.”

Captaincy and Motivation

Post-game, having been borne aloft around the venue on the immense frames of Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman to celebrate his hundredth Test, the South African skipper, Siya Kolisi, once again highlighted how a significant number of his team have been obliged to rise above off-field adversity and how he wished his squad would similarly continue to inspire people.

The ever-sage a commentator also made an astute comment on broadcast, proposing that Erasmus’s record increasingly make him the parallel figure of the Manchester United great. In the event that the world champions do go on to claim a third straight world title there will be complete assurance. Should they fall short, the smart way in which Erasmus has refreshed a experienced squad has been an masterclass to everyone.

Young Stars

Take for example his young playmaker the newcomer who darted through for the decisive touchdown that properly blew open the French windows. And also the scrum-half, a further playmaker with blistering pace and an even sharper ability to spot openings. Of course it is beneficial to have the support of a dominant set of forwards, with the powerful center adding physicality, but the continuing evolution of the Springboks from physically imposing units into a team who can also display finesse and sting like bees is hugely impressive.

French Flashes

This is not to imply that the French team were totally outclassed, notwithstanding their limp finish. Damian Penaud’s additional score in the right corner was a good illustration. The power up front that occupied the South African pack, the excellent wide ball from Ramos and Penaud’s finishing dive into the sideline boards all demonstrated the traits of a team with significant talent, even in the absence of their captain.

Yet that ultimately proved not enough, which really is a sobering thought for all other nations. There is no way, for instance, that the visitors could have fallen behind by 17 points to the world champions and fought back in the way they did against the All Blacks. And for all England’s strong finish, there remains a distance to travel before the national side can be confident of facing the world's top team with high stakes.

European Prospects

Overcoming an improving Fiji posed difficulties on match day although the next encounter against the New Zealand will be the match that properly defines 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 cut above almost all the northern hemisphere teams.

Scotland were particularly guilty of failing to hammer home the killing points and doubts still surround the English side's optimal back division. It is acceptable finishing games strongly – and infinitely better than succumbing at the death – but their commendable winning sequence this year has so far featured only one win over world-class sides, a close result over France in February.

Future Prospects

Hence the importance of this next weekend. Reading between the lines it would seem a number of adjustments are anticipated in the matchday squad, with established stars coming back to the team. Up front, in the same way, first-choice players should return from the beginning.

But everything is relative, in sport as in reality. Between now and the 2027 World Cup the {rest