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A number of triumphs carry double importance in the message they communicate. Within the flurry of weekend Test matches, it was the Saturday evening outcome in Paris that will linger most profoundly across both hemispheres. Not only the conclusion, but equally the approach of victory. To suggest that South Africa shattered several widely-held beliefs would be an understatement of the calendar.

Shifting Momentum

Discard the idea, for example, that the French team would rectify the disappointment of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. That entering the final quarter with a small margin and an extra man would translate into certain victory. That even without their talisman Antoine Dupont, they still had sufficient strategies to restrain the powerful opponents under control.

Instead, it was a case of celebrating too soon before time. Having been behind on the scoreboard, the South African side with a player sent off concluded with racking up 19 points without reply, reinforcing their standing as a team who more and more deliver their finest rugby for the most challenging scenarios. Whereas beating New Zealand 43-10 in September was a message, now came definitive evidence that the top-ranked team are cultivating an greater resilience.

Forward Dominance

In fact, Rassie Erasmus’s experienced front eight are increasingly make everyone else look less committed by contrast. Both northern hemisphere teams experienced their promising spells over the two-day period but lacked entirely the same earthmovers that thoroughly overwhelmed France to landfill in the final thirty minutes. Some promising young home nation players are developing but, by the end, the match was hommes contre garçons.

What was perhaps even more striking was the psychological resilience driving it all. Without the second-rower – issued a 38th-minute straight red for a high tackle of Thomas Ramos – the South Africans could might well have lost their composure. Instead they just circled the wagons and set about pulling the demoralized home team to what a retired hooker referred to as “the hurt locker.”

Guidance and Example

Afterwards, having been hoisted around the Parisian stadium on the powerful backs of two key forwards to honor his hundredth Test, the team leader, the flanker, yet again stressed how a significant number of his team have been needed to conquer life difficulties and how he hoped his side would likewise continue to motivate people.

The insightful an analyst also made an perceptive comment on television, stating that his results more and more make him the rugby's version of Sir Alex Ferguson. Should the Springboks manage to claim a third straight world title there will be absolute certainty. Even if they fail to achieve it, the intelligent way in which the coach has revitalized a possibly veteran roster has been an object lesson to everyone.

Young Stars

Look no further than his 23-year-old fly-half the rising star who skipped over for the late try that effectively shattered the home defense. Or Grant Williams, a second half-back with lightning acceleration and an even sharper vision for space. Of course it helps to operate behind a gargantuan pack, with the powerful center providing support, but the steady transformation of the Boks from physically imposing units into a team who can also float like butterflies and sting like bees is remarkable.

French Flashes

This is not to imply that France were utterly overwhelmed, notwithstanding their fading performance. The wing's second try in the far side was a prime instance. The set-piece strength that tied in the visiting eight, the superb distribution from the full-back and the try-scorer's execution into the sideline boards all displayed the hallmarks of a team with notable skill, even in the absence of Dupont.

However, that ultimately proved not enough, which is a humbling reality for competing teams. It is inconceivable, for instance, that Scotland could have fallen behind by 17 points to South Africa and mounted a comeback in the way they did versus New Zealand. And for all the red rose's late resurgence, there is a journey ahead before the national side can be confident of facing Erasmus’s green-clad giants with all at stake.

Home Nations' Tests

Beating an improving Fiji was challenging on match day although the forthcoming clash against the New Zealand will be the match that truly shapes their November Tests. New Zealand are definitely still beatable, particularly without an influential back in their midfield, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they are still a step ahead almost all the European sides.

Scotland were particularly guilty of missing the chance to secure the killing points and doubts still hang over the red rose's perfect backline combination. It is all very well ending matches well – and much preferable than fading in the closing stages – but their admirable nine-match unbeaten run this year has so far featured only one win over elite-level teams, a close result over the French in February.

Future Prospects

Therefore the importance of this coming Saturday. Reading between the lines it would look like various alterations are anticipated in the team selection, with established stars coming back to the side. In the pack, similarly, regular starters should be included from the beginning.

But everything is relative, in sport as in reality. From now until the next global tournament the {rest