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Some victories carry dual significance in the lesson they convey. Within the barrage of weekend Test matches, it was Saturday night's outcome in the French capital that will echo longest across the rugby world. Not only the conclusion, but equally the manner of achievement. To say that the Springboks overturned a number of widely-held assumptions would be an understatement of the season.

Surprising Comeback

So much for the notion, for instance, that the French team would avenge the disappointment of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. The belief that entering the final quarter with a small margin and an additional player would lead to assumed success. That even without their key player Antoine Dupont, they still had more than enough strategies to restrain the powerful opponents under control.

As it turned out, it was a case of celebrating too soon prematurely. After being behind on the scoreboard, the reduced Springboks finished by racking up 19 points without reply, confirming their status as a team who increasingly deliver their finest rugby for the most demanding scenarios. While beating New Zealand 43-10 in September was a declaration, this was clear demonstration that the world’s No 1 side are cultivating an more robust mentality.

Pack Power

In fact, Rassie Erasmus’s experienced front eight are beginning to make all other teams look less committed by contrast. The Scottish and English sides experienced their promising spells over the recent fixtures but did not have the same dominant forwards that thoroughly overwhelmed the French pack to rubble in the closing period. Several up-and-coming young France's pack members are emerging but, by the conclusion, the encounter was hommes contre garçons.

Perhaps most impressive was the inner fortitude supporting it all. Missing the second-rower – given a dismissal before halftime for a shoulder to the head of Thomas Ramos – the South Africans could potentially faltered. On the contrary they simply regrouped and set about pulling the demoralized home team to what one former French international referred to as “extreme physical pressure.”

Guidance and Example

Following the match, having been carried around the venue on the gigantic shoulders of Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman to mark his hundredth Test, the South African skipper, the inspirational figure, repeatedly emphasized how a significant number of his squad have been obliged to overcome personal challenges and how he wished his side would in the same way continue to encourage fans.

The insightful a commentator also made an astute comment on sports media, suggesting that the coach's achievements more and more make him the rugby's version of the legendary football manager. In the event that the world champions succeed in win a third successive World Cup there will be no doubt whatsoever. Should they fail to achieve it, the clever way in which the coach has rejuvenated a experienced roster has been an exemplary model to all.

Emerging Talent

Consider his emerging number 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who darted through for the closing score that decisively broke the home defense. And also the scrum-half, a further half-back with lightning acceleration and an even sharper ability to spot openings. Undoubtedly it is beneficial to play behind a massive forward unit, with André Esterhuizen riding shotgun, but the ongoing metamorphosis of the Boks from physically imposing units into a side who can also float like butterflies and strike decisively is hugely impressive.

French Flashes

This is not to imply that France were utterly overwhelmed, in spite of their fading performance. Damian Penaud’s later touchdown in the wing area was a clear example. The power up front that engaged the visiting eight, the excellent wide ball from the playmaker and the try-scorer's execution into the sideline boards all exhibited the hallmarks of a side with notable skill, despite missing their captain.

But even that in the end was insufficient, which truly represents a daunting prospect for everybody else. It is inconceivable, for example, that Scotland could have trailed heavily to the world champions and fought back in the way they did versus New Zealand. And for all England’s last-quarter improvement, there still exists a gap to close before Steve Borthwick’s squad can be certain of facing the South African powerhouses with high stakes.

Home Nations' Tests

Beating an developing Fijian side was challenging on match day although the upcoming showdown against the All Blacks will be the contest that properly defines their end-of-year series. The All Blacks are not invincible, especially missing their key midfielder in their backline, but when it comes to capitalizing on opportunities they continue to be a step ahead almost all the northern hemisphere teams.

Scotland were particularly guilty of failing to hammer home the decisive blows and uncertainties still hang over the English side's ideal backline blend. It is acceptable ending matches well – and far superior than fading in the closing stages – but their admirable undefeated streak this year has so far featured only one win over top-drawer opposition, a close result over Les Bleus in February.

Next Steps

Thus the significance of this next weekend. Reading between the lines it would seem several changes are expected in the team selection, with established stars being reinstated to the lineup. In the pack, similarly, regular starters should return from the beginning.

But context is key, in sport as in existence. In the lead-up to the next global tournament the {rest