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A number of triumphs deliver dual significance in the message they broadcast. Amid the flood of weekend rugby Tests, it was Saturday night's score in the French capital that will linger most profoundly across the globe. Not only the conclusion, but the way the style of victory. To suggest that the Springboks demolished a number of widely-held theories would be an oversimplification of the rugby year.

Surprising Comeback

Forget about the theory, for instance, that France would rectify the injustice of their World Cup last-eight loss. That entering the last period with a narrow lead and an extra man would result in assumed success. Even in the absence of their talisman Antoine Dupont, they still had ample tranquiliser darts to restrain the big beasts safely at bay.

Instead, it was a case of counting their poulets prematurely. Having been trailing by four points, the reduced Springboks finished by registering 19 consecutive points, confirming their status as a team who consistently reserve their top performance for the toughest circumstances. While overpowering New Zealand in Wellington in the last quarter was a statement, this was clear demonstration that the world’s No 1 side are building an greater resilience.

Pack Power

Actually, the coach's champion Bok forwards are starting to make opposing sides look laissez-faire by contrast. Scotland and England both had their moments over the recent fixtures but lacked entirely the same dominant forwards that systematically dismantled France to landfill in the last half-hour. A number of talented young home nation players are emerging but, by the end, the match was a mismatch in experience.

Perhaps most impressive was the mental strength supporting it all. Without their lock forward – shown a dismissal before halftime for a shoulder to the head of Thomas Ramos – the South Africans could might well have become disorganized. On the contrary they simply united and proceeded to pulling the deflated boys in blue to what an ex-France player called “a place of suffering.”

Leadership and Inspiration

Following the match, having been hoisted around the Parisian stadium on the gigantic shoulders of the lock pairing to celebrate his hundredth Test, the team leader, the flanker, once again highlighted how a significant number of his team have been obliged to rise above personal challenges and how he hoped his side would likewise continue to motivate people.

The insightful an analyst also made an shrewd point on broadcast, stating that the coach's achievements increasingly make him the rugby coaching equivalent of the Manchester United great. In the event that the world champions do go on to claim a third straight world title there will be no doubt whatsoever. Should they come up short, the clever way in which the mentor has rejuvenated a potentially ageing team has been an object lesson to all.

Young Stars

Look no further than his emerging number 10 the newcomer who darted through for the closing score that properly blew open the home defense. And also Grant Williams, another backline player with blistering pace and an even sharper vision for space. Of course it helps to have the support of a gargantuan pack, with André Esterhuizen riding shotgun, but the steady transformation of the Boks from scowling heavyweights into a team who can also display finesse and strike decisively is hugely impressive.

Glimpses of French Quality

Which is not to say that the home side were completely dominated, despite their limp finish. Damian Penaud’s additional score in the far side was a prime instance. The power up front that tied in the South African pack, the excellent wide ball from Ramos and Penaud’s finishing dive into the perimeter signage all displayed the hallmarks of a squad with significant talent, despite missing their star man.

However, that turned out to be insufficient, which truly represents a sobering thought for everybody else. It would be impossible, for instance, that the Scottish side could have trailed heavily to the Springboks and mounted a comeback in the way they did in their fixture. Despite England’s strong finish, there remains a distance to travel before Steve Borthwick’s squad can be confident of standing up to Erasmus’s green-clad giants with high stakes.

Northern Hemisphere Challenges

Overcoming an developing Fijian side proved tricky enough on the weekend although the forthcoming clash against the New Zealand will be the fixture that properly defines their November Tests. The visitors are definitely still beatable, especially missing their key midfielder in their backline, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they remain a cut above almost all the northern hemisphere teams.

The Scottish team were especially culpable of failing to hammer home the decisive blows and doubts still surround England’s perfect backline combination. It is acceptable finishing games strongly – and infinitely better than succumbing at the death – but their commendable nine-match unbeaten run this year has so far included just a single victory over top-drawer opposition, a close result over Les Bleus in the winter.

Looking Ahead

Thus the significance of this upround. Analyzing the situation it would seem a number of adjustments are anticipated in the matchday squad, with key players returning to the team. In the pack, likewise, regular starters should all be back from the start.

Yet perspective matters, in sport as in existence. Between now and the upcoming world championship the {rest