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Some victories carry double weight in the message they communicate. Amid the barrage of weekend international rugby fixtures, it was Saturday night's result in Paris that will linger longest across the globe. Not merely the end result, but also the approach of achievement. To say that South Africa shattered a number of established theories would be an modest description of the rugby year.

Shifting Momentum

Forget about the idea, for example, that the French team would make amends for the unfairness of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. The belief that entering the closing stages with a small margin and an additional player would lead to inevitable glory. That even without their key player their scrum-half, they still had sufficient resources to contain the powerful opponents safely at bay.

As it turned out, it was a case of celebrating too soon prematurely. After being 17-13 down, the reduced Springboks ended up registering 19 consecutive points, reinforcing their standing as a side who more and more deliver their finest rugby for the most challenging circumstances. While overpowering New Zealand in Wellington in the last quarter was a message, here was definitive evidence that the leading international squad are building an greater resilience.

Set-Piece Superiority

If anything, Rassie Erasmus’s champion Bok forwards are starting to make everyone else look less committed by contrast. Both northern hemisphere teams both had their periods of promise over the weekend but possessed nothing like the same powerful carriers that thoroughly overwhelmed the home side to landfill in the last half-hour. Some promising young home nation players are emerging but, by the conclusion, the encounter was men against boys.

Even more notable was the psychological resilience driving it all. Without Lood de Jager – issued a 38th-minute straight red for a shoulder to the head of the French full-back – the South Africans could potentially faltered. As it happened they just regrouped and proceeded to dragging the demoralized home team to what one former French international referred to as “extreme physical pressure.”

Captaincy and Motivation

Post-game, having been borne aloft around the venue on the immense frames of the lock pairing to honor his hundredth Test, the team leader, the flanker, yet again highlighted how several of his team have been needed to overcome personal challenges and how he wished his team would likewise continue to motivate people.

The ever-sage an analyst also made an shrewd comment on broadcast, stating that the coach's achievements progressively make him the parallel figure of the Manchester United great. In the event that the world champions manage to win a third successive World Cup there will be no doubt whatsoever. Should they come up short, the intelligent way in which the coach has refreshed a possibly veteran roster has been an masterclass to everyone.

Emerging Talent

Consider his young playmaker the rising star who darted through for the late try that decisively broke the opposition line. Or Grant Williams, another backline player with blistering pace and an more acute ability to spot openings. Of course it helps to have the support of a gargantuan pack, with the inside back riding shotgun, but the steady transformation of the South African team from intimidating giants into a side who can also float like butterflies and sting like bees is remarkable.

French Flashes

This is not to imply that the home side were totally outclassed, notwithstanding their weak ending. Their winger's second try in the far side was a clear example. The forward dominance that occupied the South African pack, the glorious long pass from Ramos and the try-scorer's execution into the perimeter signage all demonstrated the traits of a side with significant talent, even in the absence of their captain.

But even that turned out to be insufficient, which truly represents a sobering thought for competing teams. It is inconceivable, for example, that Scotland could have gone 17-0 down to the Springboks and fought back in the way they did versus New Zealand. Despite the red rose's late resurgence, there is a gap to close before the national side can be assured of standing up to the world's top team with all at stake.

European Prospects

Beating an Pacific Island team posed difficulties on match day although the upcoming showdown against the the Kiwis will be the match that accurately reflects their end-of-year series. New Zealand are certainly vulnerable, particularly without their key midfielder in their midfield, but when it comes to taking their chances they are still a level above almost all the European sides.

Scotland were notably at fault of failing to hammer home the final nails and question marks still apply to the English side's perfect backline combination. It is all very well ending matches well – and infinitely better than succumbing at the death – but their admirable undefeated streak this year has so far shown just one success over world-class sides, a close result over France in the winter.

Looking Ahead

Thus the significance of this coming Saturday. Analyzing the situation it would look like a number of adjustments are likely in the team selection, with established stars coming back to the side. Up front, similarly, first-choice players should return from the outset.

But perspective matters, in sport as in reality. From now until the upcoming world championship the {rest