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Certain wins carry double significance in the lesson they communicate. Within the barrage of weekend international rugby fixtures, it was the Saturday evening result in the French capital that will echo longest across the globe. Not only the end result, but equally the style of victory. To claim that the Springboks overturned various widely-held assumptions would be an understatement of the season.

Unexpected Turnaround

Forget about the theory, for example, that France would avenge the unfairness of their World Cup elimination. The belief that entering the last period with a slight advantage and an additional player would result in inevitable glory. Despite missing their talisman their scrum-half, they still had more than enough resources to contain the strong rivals at a distance.

On the contrary, it was a case of counting their poulets prematurely. Initially behind on the scoreboard, the reduced Springboks ended up racking up 19 points without reply, strengthening their reputation as a side who increasingly save their best for the most challenging situations. Whereas defeating the All Blacks by a large margin in September was a statement, this was definitive evidence that the world’s No 1 side are cultivating an more robust mentality.

Pack Power

In fact, Erasmus's champion Bok forwards are starting to make opposing sides look less intense by contrast. Both northern hemisphere teams each enjoyed their periods of promise over the two-day period but possessed nothing like the same dominant forwards that thoroughly overwhelmed France to ruins in the closing period. Some promising young home nation players are developing but, by the final whistle, the encounter was hommes contre garçons.

What was perhaps even more striking was the inner fortitude underpinning it all. Missing their lock forward – issued a red card in the first half for a high tackle of the French full-back – the Springboks could easily have lost their composure. On the contrary they just circled the wagons and began taking the demoralized home team to what one former French international referred to as “the hurt locker.”

Captaincy and Motivation

Post-game, having been borne aloft around the Parisian stadium on the powerful backs of two key forwards to mark his 100th cap, the team leader, the flanker, yet again highlighted how several of his team have been obliged to rise above personal challenges and how he hoped his squad would similarly continue to encourage people.

The perceptive an analyst also made an perceptive comment on sports media, suggesting that his results progressively make him the parallel figure of the legendary football manager. If South Africa manage to win a third successive World Cup there will be no doubt whatsoever. Should they fall short, the clever way in which the coach has revitalized a possibly veteran squad has been an exemplary model to everyone.

New Generation

Take for example his young playmaker Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who darted through for the decisive touchdown that effectively shattered the home defense. And also the scrum-half, a second backline player with lightning acceleration and an even sharper eye for a gap. Undoubtedly it is beneficial to play behind a gargantuan pack, with the powerful center adding physicality, but the ongoing metamorphosis of the South African team from intimidating giants into a side who can also float like butterflies and sting like bees is extraordinary.

Home Side's Moments

This is not to imply that the home side were utterly overwhelmed, in spite of their weak ending. Damian Penaud’s later touchdown in the wing area was a clear example. The set-piece strength that engaged the Bok forwards, the excellent wide ball from Ramos and the try-scorer's execution into the perimeter signage all displayed the hallmarks of a team with notable skill, even in the absence of their star man.

However, that in the end was insufficient, which really is a sobering thought for everybody else. There is no way, for instance, that the Scottish side could have trailed heavily to the Springboks and fought back in the way they did against the All Blacks. And for all the English team's last-quarter improvement, there remains a journey ahead before Steve Borthwick’s squad can be assured of facing the world's top team with high stakes.

Northern Hemisphere Challenges

Defeating an Pacific Island team posed difficulties on the weekend although the next encounter against the All Blacks will be the fixture that truly shapes their end-of-year series. New Zealand are not invincible, notably absent Jordie Barrett in their midfield, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they remain a cut above almost all the northern hemisphere teams.

Scotland were especially culpable of failing to hammer home the killing points and uncertainties still apply to the English side's optimal back division. It is fine performing in the final quarter – and infinitely better than fading in the closing stages – but their notable nine-match unbeaten run this year has so far featured only one win over top-drawer opposition, a one-point home victory over Les Bleus in the winter.

Future Prospects

Therefore the importance of this next weekend. Reading between the lines it would appear various alterations are anticipated in the starting lineup, with established stars coming back to the side. Up front, in the same way, familiar faces should be included from the beginning.

But perspective matters, in sport as in existence. From now until the next global tournament the {rest