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Certain wins send double importance in the message they broadcast. Amid the barrage of weekend Test matches, it was Saturday night's result in the French capital that will echo most enduringly across the rugby world. Not merely the final score, but also the approach of achievement. To claim that the Springboks shattered various comfortable theories would be an understatement of the rugby year.

Unexpected Turnaround

So much for the idea, for example, that France would rectify the injustice of their World Cup last-eight loss. Assuming that going into the closing stages with a small margin and an numerical superiority would result in assumed success. Despite missing their star man their captain, they still had more than enough resources to restrain the strong rivals under control.

On the contrary, it was a case of celebrating too soon before time. After being behind on the scoreboard, the South African side with a player sent off ended up scoring 19 unanswered points, strengthening their standing as a squad who more and more save their best for the most demanding scenarios. While overpowering New Zealand in Wellington in earlier this year was a message, now came clear demonstration that the top-ranked team are cultivating an even thicker skin.

Forward Dominance

In fact, the coach's experienced front eight are starting to make everyone else look less committed by contrast. Both northern hemisphere teams experienced their promising spells over the recent fixtures but possessed nothing like the same earthmovers that effectively reduced the home side to rubble in the last half-hour. A number of talented young home nation players are coming through but, by the conclusion, the match was hommes contre garçons.

What was perhaps even more striking was the psychological resilience underpinning it all. Missing their lock forward – shown a 38th-minute straight red for a high tackle of the opposition kicker – the Boks could easily have become disorganized. As it happened they simply regrouped and proceeded to pulling the deflated home team to what an ex-France player described as “the hurt locker.”

Captaincy and Motivation

Afterwards, having been borne aloft around the Stade de France on the powerful backs of the lock pairing to celebrate his 100th cap, the team leader, the inspirational figure, yet again emphasized how many of his players have been obliged to rise above personal challenges and how he aspired his team would in the same way continue to encourage others.

The ever-sage David Flatman also made an shrewd observation on sports media, 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 succeed in secure another global trophy there will be no doubt whatsoever. Even if they fall short, the intelligent way in which the mentor has revitalized a potentially ageing roster has been an exemplary model to everyone.

New Generation

Consider his young playmaker the newcomer who sprinted past for the closing score that effectively shattered the opposition line. And also Grant Williams, a second backline player with lightning acceleration and an even sharper vision for space. Naturally it helps to play behind a massive forward unit, with the powerful center providing support, but the continuing evolution of the South African team from intimidating giants into a squad who can also float like butterflies and deliver telling blows is remarkable.

Glimpses of French Quality

However, it should not be thought that the home side were totally outclassed, despite their limp finish. The wing's later touchdown in the right corner was a prime instance. The set-piece strength that tied in the visiting eight, the superb distribution from the playmaker and the try-scorer's execution into the perimeter signage all exhibited the characteristics of a squad with notable skill, without Dupont.

However, that ultimately proved inadequate, which truly represents a humbling reality for competing teams. There is no way, for example, that the visitors could have trailed heavily to South Africa and come galloping 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 assured of standing up to the South African powerhouses with everything on the line.

European Prospects

Overcoming an improving Fiji posed difficulties on Saturday although the next encounter against the New Zealand will be the contest that properly defines their November Tests. New Zealand are not invincible, particularly without an influential back in their center, but when it comes to taking their chances they remain a level above most the European sides.

The Scottish team were especially culpable of missing the chance to secure the killing points and doubts still surround England’s ideal backline blend. It is acceptable finishing games strongly – and much preferable than succumbing at the death – but their notable nine-match unbeaten run this year has so far included just a single victory over top-drawer opposition, a narrow win over the French in the winter.

Future Prospects

Thus the importance of this coming Saturday. Reading between the lines it would seem several changes are likely in the starting lineup, with key players being reinstated to the side. In the pack, similarly, first-choice players should all be back from the outset.

But everything is relative, in rugby as in reality. Between now and the upcoming world championship the {rest