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Certain wins deliver double weight in the lesson they communicate. Among the flurry of weekend Test matches, it was Saturday night's result in the French capital that will echo most profoundly across the globe. Not merely the final score, but equally the manner of success. To say that the Springboks shattered a number of comfortable assumptions would be an understatement of the rugby year.

Unexpected Turnaround

Forget about the notion, for instance, that the French team would avenge the injustice of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. The belief that entering the last period with a narrow lead and an numerical superiority would lead to certain victory. Despite missing their key player their scrum-half, they still had ample tranquiliser darts to contain the strong rivals safely at bay.

Instead, it was a case of counting their poulets prematurely. Having been behind on the scoreboard, the South African side with a player sent off concluded with racking up 19 points without reply, strengthening their reputation as a squad who consistently deliver their finest rugby for the most demanding situations. If beating New Zealand 43-10 in earlier this year was a statement, here was definitive evidence that the world’s No 1 side are cultivating an more robust mentality.

Set-Piece Superiority

In fact, Rassie Erasmus’s champion Bok forwards are increasingly make opposing sides look laissez-faire by comparison. The Scottish and English sides experienced their promising spells over the weekend but possessed nothing like the same powerful carriers that thoroughly overwhelmed the home side to landfill in the final thirty minutes. Some promising young home nation players are coming through but, by the conclusion, the encounter was hommes contre garçons.

What was perhaps even more striking was the psychological resilience driving it all. In the absence of the second-rower – issued a red card in the first half for a shoulder to the head of the opposition kicker – the Boks could potentially lost their composure. On the contrary they merely united and proceeded to dragging the disheartened boys in blue to what one former French international referred to as “extreme physical pressure.”

Guidance and Example

Afterwards, having been hoisted around the Parisian stadium on the gigantic shoulders of two key forwards to mark his hundredth Test, the Springbok captain, Siya Kolisi, yet again highlighted how several of his squad have been required to overcome life difficulties and how he aspired his team would in the same way continue to inspire people.

The ever-sage David Flatman also made an shrewd point on sports media, suggesting that his results more and more make him the parallel figure of Sir Alex Ferguson. If South Africa manage to secure another global trophy there will be no doubt whatsoever. In case they come up short, the clever way in which the coach has refreshed a experienced squad has been an object lesson to other teams.

Young Stars

Look no further than his emerging number 10 the newcomer who darted through for the late try that properly blew open the French windows. Additionally Grant Williams, a further half-back with blistering pace and an keener ability to spot openings. Undoubtedly it is beneficial to operate behind a gargantuan pack, with the powerful center riding shotgun, but the ongoing metamorphosis of the Boks from scowling heavyweights into a team who can also move with agility and deliver telling blows is extraordinary.

Home Side's Moments

However, it should not be thought that the home side were utterly overwhelmed, despite their limp finish. Damian Penaud’s later touchdown in the wing area was a good illustration. The set-piece strength that occupied the visiting eight, the excellent wide ball from Ramos and the try-scorer's execution into the sideline boards all exhibited the hallmarks of a squad with significant talent, without their star man.

However, that turned out to be insufficient, which truly represents a daunting prospect for all other nations. It is inconceivable, for instance, that Scotland could have trailed heavily to the Springboks and fought back in the way they did versus New Zealand. And for all the English team's strong finish, there is a journey ahead before the England team can be assured of standing up to Erasmus’s green-clad giants with all at stake.

Northern Hemisphere Challenges

Overcoming an developing Fijian side was challenging on Saturday although the upcoming showdown against the New Zealand will be the contest that truly shapes their end-of-year series. The visitors are certainly vulnerable, especially missing their key midfielder in their center, but when it comes to taking their chances they remain a level above most the northern hemisphere teams.

Scotland were notably at fault of missing the chance to secure the killing points and doubts still apply to the English side's optimal back division. It is acceptable finishing games strongly – and far superior than fading in the closing stages – but their admirable winning sequence this year has so far shown just one success over world-class sides, a narrow win over the French in the winter.

Future Prospects

Thus the importance of this coming Saturday. Analyzing the situation it would appear a number of adjustments are anticipated in the matchday squad, with key players coming back to the team. In the pack, likewise, familiar faces should be included from the outset.

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