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A number of triumphs carry double importance in the message they broadcast. Among the flood of weekend rugby Tests, it was the Saturday evening outcome in the French capital that will resonate most profoundly across both hemispheres. Not just the end result, but also the style of success. To suggest that the Springboks overturned several established theories would be an oversimplification of the calendar.

Shifting Momentum

So much for the idea, for example, that France would avenge the disappointment of their World Cup elimination. Assuming that going into the closing stages with a narrow lead and an additional player would result in certain victory. Even in the absence of their talisman their captain, they still had more than enough tranquiliser darts to contain the strong rivals safely at bay.

As it turned out, it was a case of counting their poulets prematurely. Initially trailing by four points, the reduced Springboks finished by scoring 19 unanswered points, reinforcing their status as a side who consistently deliver their finest rugby for the most challenging circumstances. Whereas defeating the All Blacks by a large margin in earlier this year was a statement, here was conclusive proof that the world’s No 1 side are cultivating an even thicker skin.

Set-Piece Superiority

If anything, the coach's champion Bok forwards are increasingly make everyone else look less intense by comparison. The Scottish and English sides experienced their periods of promise over the recent fixtures but lacked entirely the same dominant forwards that systematically dismantled France to landfill in the final thirty minutes. Several up-and-coming young French forwards are developing but, by the conclusion, the encounter was men against boys.

Even more notable was the mental strength supporting it all. In the absence of Lood de Jager – issued a 38th-minute straight red for a high tackle of the opposition kicker – the South Africans could potentially become disorganized. Instead they simply regrouped and began dragging the disheartened French side to what a retired hooker referred to as “extreme physical pressure.”

Guidance and Example

Afterwards, having been hoisted around the venue on the gigantic shoulders of Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman to mark his century of appearances, the South African skipper, the flanker, once again emphasized how several of his team have been obliged to conquer life difficulties and how he wished his squad would in the same way continue to encourage others.

The insightful David Flatman also made an astute observation on broadcast, proposing that the coach's achievements more and more make him the parallel figure of Sir Alex Ferguson. In the event that the world champions do go on to claim a third straight world title there will be absolute certainty. In case they fail to achieve it, the smart 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 emerging number 10 the newcomer who skipped over for the closing score that decisively broke the French windows. And also the scrum-half, a second backline player with explosive speed and an keener ability to spot openings. Naturally it is beneficial to play behind a massive forward unit, with André Esterhuizen adding physicality, but the ongoing metamorphosis of the South African team from physically imposing units into a team who can also float like butterflies and deliver telling blows is hugely impressive.

Home Side's Moments

Which is not to say that the home side were utterly overwhelmed, in spite of their fading performance. Damian Penaud’s second try in the wing area was a clear example. The power up front that engaged the South African pack, the superb distribution from the playmaker and Penaud’s finishing dive into the sideline boards all demonstrated the traits of a side with notable skill, even in the absence of their star man.

Yet that in the end was not enough, which really is a humbling reality for everybody else. It would be impossible, for instance, that the Scottish side could have trailed heavily to the world champions and mounted a comeback in the way they did versus New Zealand. Notwithstanding the red rose's last-quarter improvement, there is a journey ahead before the England team can be certain of facing the South African powerhouses with everything on the line.

European Prospects

Beating an developing Fijian side was challenging on Saturday although the forthcoming clash against the New Zealand will be the fixture that accurately reflects their November Tests. The All Blacks are not invincible, especially missing an influential back in their backline, but when it comes to taking their chances they remain a level above the majority of the northern hemisphere teams.

The Scottish team were especially culpable of not finishing off the killing points and uncertainties still hang over the red rose's ideal backline blend. It is all very well finishing games strongly – and infinitely better than fading in the closing stages – but their commendable winning sequence this year has so far included just a single victory over world-class sides, a close result over France in the winter.

Looking Ahead

Thus the significance of this next weekend. Reading between the lines it would appear a number of adjustments are likely in the matchday squad, with key players being reinstated to the side. Among the forwards, likewise, first-choice players should be included from the outset.

But context is key, in competition as in existence. From now until the upcoming world championship the {rest