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Some victories deliver dual importance in the message they communicate. Among the barrage of weekend rugby Tests, it was Saturday night's result in the French capital that will linger most profoundly across both hemispheres. Not merely the end result, but the way the manner of success. To claim that the Springboks demolished a number of widely-held assumptions would be an oversimplification of the calendar.

Surprising Comeback

Forget about the theory, for example, that the French team would rectify the injustice of their World Cup elimination. That entering the final quarter with a slight advantage and an extra man would translate into inevitable glory. Even in the absence of their talisman their scrum-half, they still had more than enough strategies to contain the strong rivals under control.

Instead, it was a case of counting their poulets too early. Initially 17-13 down, the 14-man Boks concluded with registering 19 consecutive points, confirming their status as a squad who more and more deliver their finest rugby for the most demanding scenarios. While defeating the All Blacks by a large margin in September was a message, this was conclusive proof that the world’s No 1 side are cultivating an even thicker skin.

Set-Piece Superiority

In fact, Erasmus's champion Bok forwards are beginning to make opposing sides look less intense by juxtaposition. The Scottish and English sides each enjoyed their periods of promise over the recent fixtures but lacked entirely the same dominant forwards that systematically dismantled France to ruins in the final thirty minutes. A number of talented young France's pack members are emerging but, by the final whistle, the encounter was hommes contre garçons.

What was perhaps even more striking was the psychological resilience supporting it all. Without the second-rower – shown a dismissal before halftime for a shoulder to the head of the French full-back – the South Africans could potentially faltered. On the contrary they just united and set about pulling the demoralized home team to what an ex-France player described as “the hurt locker.”

Captaincy and Motivation

Following the match, having been carried around the venue on the immense frames of two key forwards to mark his hundredth Test, the team leader, the inspirational figure, once again emphasized how several of his players have been obliged to rise above life difficulties and how he hoped his side would in the same way continue to inspire others.

The ever-sage an analyst also made an perceptive comment on television, proposing that the coach's achievements progressively make him the rugby's version of the Manchester United great. If South Africa do go on to win a third successive World Cup there will be complete assurance. Should they fail to achieve it, the clever way in which the mentor has rejuvenated a potentially ageing roster has been an object lesson to other teams.

Young Stars

Look no further than his 23-year-old fly-half the rising star who skipped over for the late try that decisively broke the opposition line. Or the scrum-half, another backline player with lightning acceleration and an more acute eye for a gap. Naturally it helps to have the support of a massive forward unit, with the powerful center riding shotgun, but the ongoing metamorphosis of the Springboks from intimidating giants into a team who can also move with agility and deliver telling blows is extraordinary.

French Flashes

However, it should not be thought that France were completely dominated, despite their weak ending. Damian Penaud’s second try in the far side was a clear example. The forward dominance that occupied the visiting eight, the superb distribution from the full-back and the try-scorer's execution into the sideline boards all displayed the characteristics of a side with significant talent, even in the absence of their star man.

But even that turned out to be inadequate, which really is a daunting prospect for competing teams. It would be impossible, for example, that the Scottish side could have fallen behind by 17 points to South Africa and fought back in the way they did versus New Zealand. Despite England’s strong finish, there is a gap to close before Steve Borthwick’s squad can be confident of standing up to the South African powerhouses with everything on the line.

Northern Hemisphere Challenges

Defeating an Pacific Island team proved tricky enough on the weekend although the upcoming showdown against the New Zealand will be the contest that truly shapes their end-of-year series. The visitors are not invincible, notably absent their key midfielder in their backline, but when it comes to taking their chances they are still a level above almost all the northern hemisphere teams.

The Thistles were particularly guilty of failing to hammer home the killing points and doubts still apply to the English side's perfect backline combination. It is all very well performing in the final quarter – and much preferable than losing them late on – but their commendable undefeated streak this year has so far shown just one success over top-drawer opposition, a one-point home victory over France in the winter.

Future Prospects

Thus the weight of this coming Saturday. Reading between the lines it would look like several changes are likely in the team selection, with key players coming back to the side. Among the forwards, similarly, familiar faces should all be back from the outset.

Yet context is key, in rugby as in existence. Between now and the next global tournament the {rest