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Certain wins deliver dual importance in the message they communicate. Within the flood of weekend rugby Tests, it was Saturday night's outcome in Paris that will echo most enduringly across both hemispheres. Not merely the end result, but also the manner of success. To suggest that South Africa overturned a number of established assumptions would be an modest description of the season.

Surprising Comeback

Forget about the theory, for instance, that France would rectify the unfairness of their World Cup elimination. That entering the final quarter with a slight advantage and an additional player would lead to assumed success. Even in the absence of their star man their scrum-half, they still had sufficient tranquiliser darts to contain the strong rivals safely at bay.

As it turned out, it was a case of assuming victory too early. Initially 17-13 down, the reduced Springboks concluded with racking up 19 points without reply, confirming their status as a squad who increasingly save their best for the most challenging situations. Whereas overpowering New Zealand in Wellington in September was a message, here was conclusive proof that the top-ranked team are cultivating an greater resilience.

Pack Power

In fact, Rassie Erasmus’s experienced front eight are increasingly make everyone else look laissez-faire by juxtaposition. Both northern hemisphere teams each enjoyed their periods of promise over the two-day period but possessed nothing like the same powerful carriers that systematically dismantled France to rubble in the closing period. Several up-and-coming young French forwards are developing but, by the end, Saturday night was hommes contre garçons.

What was perhaps even more striking was the mental strength driving it all. In the absence of Lood de Jager – issued a dismissal before halftime for a high tackle of the opposition kicker – the South Africans could easily have become disorganized. As it happened they simply circled the wagons and began taking the deflated French side to what a retired hooker described as “the hurt locker.”

Leadership and Inspiration

Post-game, having been carried around the venue on the gigantic shoulders of Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman to celebrate his hundredth Test, the South African skipper, Siya Kolisi, yet again emphasized how many of his players have been required to rise above personal challenges and how he hoped his team would similarly continue to encourage fans.

The ever-sage an analyst also made an perceptive point on broadcast, stating that his results increasingly make him the rugby's version of the legendary football manager. Should the Springboks succeed in claim a third straight world title there will be absolute certainty. In case they fail to achieve it, the smart way in which Erasmus has refreshed a potentially ageing roster has been an masterclass to everyone.

Young Stars

Look no further than his 23-year-old fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who darted through for the closing score that effectively shattered the opposition line. And also another half-back, another playmaker with blistering pace and an keener eye for a gap. Naturally it is an advantage to have the support of a gargantuan pack, with the powerful center riding shotgun, but the continuing evolution of the Boks from scowling heavyweights into a team who can also display finesse and strike decisively is hugely impressive.

Home Side's Moments

This is not to imply that France were utterly overwhelmed, in spite of their limp finish. Damian Penaud’s additional score in the far side was a good illustration. The set-piece strength that tied in the Bok forwards, the superb distribution from Ramos and the try-scorer's execution into the advertising hoardings all displayed the characteristics of a team with significant talent, without their captain.

Yet that in the end was insufficient, which really is a humbling reality for everybody else. There is no way, for instance, that Scotland could have fallen behind by 17 points to the world champions and mounted a comeback in the way they did in their fixture. Notwithstanding the English team's last-quarter improvement, there is a distance to travel before Steve Borthwick’s squad can be confident of standing up to Erasmus’s green-clad giants with everything on the line.

European Prospects

Overcoming an Pacific Island team was challenging on Saturday although the next encounter against the New Zealand will be the match that properly defines their autumn. The visitors are certainly vulnerable, especially missing an influential back in their midfield, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they continue to be a cut above most the home unions.

The Thistles were especially culpable of failing to hammer home the final nails and uncertainties still apply to the red rose's ideal backline blend. It is acceptable ending matches well – and far superior than fading in the closing stages – but their commendable undefeated streak this year has so far featured only one win over top-drawer opposition, a narrow win over the French in February.

Future Prospects

Hence the weight of this coming Saturday. Reading between the lines it would appear several changes are anticipated in the matchday squad, with key players returning to the team. In the pack, likewise, first-choice players should return from the beginning.

But perspective matters, in rugby as in life. In the lead-up to the upcoming world championship the {rest