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Certain wins deliver double importance in the statement they communicate. Amid the flood of weekend Test matches, it was the Saturday evening result in Paris that will linger longest across the rugby world. Not just the end result, but equally the approach of achievement. To suggest that South Africa overturned a number of established assumptions would be an understatement of the calendar.

Unexpected Turnaround

Discard the theory, for example, that the French team would avenge the unfairness of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. The belief that entering the last period with a slight advantage and an numerical superiority would translate into inevitable glory. That even without their star man their scrum-half, they still had ample strategies to keep the strong rivals safely at bay.

As it turned out, it was a case of assuming victory prematurely. After being 17-13 down, the South African side with a player sent off concluded with racking up 19 points without reply, confirming their status as a squad who increasingly save their best for the most demanding circumstances. While overpowering New Zealand in Wellington in September was a message, this was clear demonstration that the world’s No 1 side are building an more robust mentality.

Set-Piece Superiority

In fact, the coach's title-winning pack are starting to make opposing sides look laissez-faire by comparison. Scotland and England each enjoyed their promising spells over the two-day period but lacked entirely the same dominant forwards that effectively reduced France to ruins in the final thirty minutes. A number of talented young France's pack members are coming through but, by the end, Saturday night was hommes contre garçons.

What was perhaps even more striking was the psychological resilience underpinning it all. In the absence of their lock forward – shown a red card in the first half for a dangerous contact of the opposition kicker – the Springboks could easily have lost their composure. Instead they merely united and proceeded to dragging the deflated boys in blue to what one former French international described as “a place of suffering.”

Guidance and Example

Following the match, having been carried around the Parisian stadium on the gigantic shoulders of the lock pairing to celebrate his hundredth Test, the Springbok captain, the flanker, once again emphasized how several of his squad have been obliged to rise above life difficulties and how he aspired his squad would in the same way continue to motivate people.

The insightful an analyst also made an shrewd observation on broadcast, stating that his results more and more make him the rugby coaching equivalent of the legendary football manager. Should the Springboks do go on to win a third successive World Cup there will be no doubt whatsoever. In case they fail to achieve it, the smart way in which the mentor has rejuvenated a possibly veteran roster has been an masterclass to all.

New Generation

Take for example his young playmaker Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who darted through for the decisive touchdown that properly blew open the French windows. Or another half-back, a further playmaker with blistering pace and an keener vision for space. Naturally it is an advantage to have the support of a dominant set of forwards, with the inside back adding physicality, but the continuing evolution of the Boks from physically imposing units into a squad who can also display finesse and strike decisively is hugely impressive.

Glimpses of French Quality

This is not to imply that the home side were utterly overwhelmed, despite their weak ending. Damian Penaud’s additional score in the right corner was a good illustration. The power up front that tied in the South African pack, the superb distribution from the playmaker and the try-scorer's execution into the advertising hoardings all demonstrated the characteristics of a squad with considerable ability, even in the absence of Dupont.

But even that ultimately proved insufficient, which is a daunting prospect for everybody else. It is inconceivable, for instance, that Scotland could have gone 17-0 down to the Springboks and fought back in the way they did against the All Blacks. And for all the red rose's late resurgence, there is a gap to close before the national side can be confident of standing up to the world's top team with everything on the line.

Home Nations' Tests

Beating an developing Fijian side was challenging on match day although the next encounter against the All Blacks will be the contest that truly shapes their end-of-year series. The All Blacks are not invincible, particularly without an influential back in their center, but when it comes to taking their chances they continue to be a step ahead the majority of the northern hemisphere teams.

The Thistles were particularly guilty of failing to hammer home the decisive blows and question marks still apply to England’s ideal backline blend. It is acceptable ending matches well – and much preferable than fading in the closing stages – but their notable undefeated streak this year has so far shown just one success over elite-level teams, a one-point home victory over France in earlier in the year.

Future Prospects

Therefore the weight of this upround. Interpreting the signals it would appear several changes are expected in the starting lineup, with established stars returning to the team. In the pack, likewise, familiar faces should return from the start.

Yet context is key, in sport as in existence. From now until the next global tournament the {rest