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Some victories deliver double significance in the message they convey. Within the barrage of weekend Test matches, it was Saturday night's outcome in Paris that will resonate longest across the rugby world. Not merely the final score, but the way the approach of achievement. To say that South Africa shattered a number of widely-held beliefs would be an modest description of the season.

Surprising Comeback

So much for the theory, for instance, that France would make amends for the disappointment of their World Cup elimination. That entering the last period with a narrow lead and an additional player would lead to inevitable glory. Despite missing their key player their scrum-half, they still had more than enough resources to restrain the strong rivals safely at bay.

Instead, it was a case of counting their poulets before time. Initially 17-13 down, the reduced Springboks finished by scoring 19 unanswered points, confirming their status as a team who consistently deliver their finest rugby for the most demanding scenarios. If beating New Zealand 43-10 in September was a declaration, here was definitive evidence that the top-ranked team are building an even thicker skin.

Pack Power

Actually, the coach's title-winning pack are increasingly make all other teams look laissez-faire by contrast. The Scottish and English sides each enjoyed their moments over the two-day period but possessed nothing like the same powerful carriers that systematically dismantled France to landfill in the closing period. A number of talented young France's pack members are emerging but, by the conclusion, the match was men against boys.

What was perhaps even more striking was the psychological resilience driving it all. Without the second-rower – given a dismissal before halftime for a high tackle of the French full-back – the South Africans could easily have lost their composure. On the contrary they merely circled the wagons and began taking the demoralized home team to what one former French international described as “the hurt locker.”

Captaincy and Motivation

Following the match, having been hoisted around the Stade de France on the powerful backs of two key forwards to celebrate his hundredth Test, the Springbok captain, the flanker, repeatedly emphasized how several of his squad have been needed to conquer off-field adversity and how he aspired his side would in the same way continue to encourage people.

The insightful David Flatman also made an shrewd comment on sports media, proposing that the coach's achievements increasingly make him the rugby's version of Sir Alex Ferguson. Should the Springboks do go on to claim a third straight world title there will be absolute certainty. Even if they come up short, the smart way in which the coach has refreshed a possibly veteran squad has been an exemplary model to everyone.

New Generation

Look no further than his 23-year-old fly-half the rising star who darted through for the closing score that properly blew open the home defense. Or the scrum-half, another playmaker with lightning acceleration and an more acute vision for space. Undoubtedly it helps to play behind a massive forward unit, with the powerful center providing support, but the continuing evolution of the Boks from physically imposing units into a squad who can also display finesse and strike decisively is remarkable.

Glimpses of French Quality

However, it should not be thought that the home side were completely dominated, notwithstanding their fading performance. The wing's additional score in the right corner was a prime instance. The power up front that engaged the Bok forwards, the superb distribution from the playmaker and Penaud’s finishing dive into the perimeter signage all demonstrated the characteristics of a squad with significant talent, even in the absence of their captain.

However, that in the end was not enough, which really is a daunting prospect for all other nations. It is inconceivable, for example, that the visitors could have gone 17-0 down to the Springboks and come galloping back in the way they did in their fixture. Notwithstanding England’s strong finish, there is a journey ahead before the England team can be assured of competing with the world's top team with high stakes.

Northern Hemisphere Challenges

Defeating an improving Fiji was challenging on Saturday although the upcoming showdown against the All Blacks will be the fixture that accurately reflects their November Tests. The visitors are not invincible, especially missing Jordie Barrett in their center, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they continue to be a cut above almost all the European sides.

The Thistles were notably at fault of missing the chance to secure the decisive blows and uncertainties still apply to the English side's perfect backline combination. It is all very well finishing games strongly – and much preferable than fading in the closing stages – but their commendable undefeated streak this year has so far included just a single victory over world-class sides, a narrow win over the French in the winter.

Next Steps

Hence the significance of this next weekend. Interpreting the signals it would appear several changes are likely in the starting lineup, with key players being reinstated to the lineup. Up front, similarly, first-choice players should all be back from the start.

Yet perspective matters, in rugby as in existence. From now until the upcoming world championship the {rest