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A number of triumphs deliver dual weight in the statement they convey. Among the flood of weekend international rugby fixtures, it was the Saturday evening result in the French capital that will resonate most enduringly across the rugby world. Not only the conclusion, but the way the approach of victory. To say that South Africa overturned several widely-held theories would be an modest description of the calendar.

Unexpected Turnaround

Forget about the notion, for example, that the French team would avenge the unfairness of their World Cup elimination. The belief that entering the final quarter with a slight advantage and an numerical superiority would result in certain victory. Even in the absence of their key player Antoine Dupont, they still had sufficient strategies to restrain the big beasts safely at bay.

Instead, it was a case of celebrating too soon too early. Having been 17-13 down, the reduced Springboks finished by registering 19 consecutive points, confirming their reputation as a team who consistently reserve their top performance for the most challenging situations. If beating New Zealand 43-10 in earlier this year was a statement, this was definitive evidence that the top-ranked team are cultivating an greater resilience.

Set-Piece Superiority

In fact, Rassie Erasmus’s title-winning pack are beginning to make everyone else look less intense by juxtaposition. Scotland and England experienced their periods of promise over the two-day period but lacked entirely the same dominant forwards that systematically dismantled the home side to landfill in the last half-hour. Some promising young France's pack members are emerging but, by the final whistle, the encounter was hommes contre garçons.

Even more notable was the psychological resilience driving it all. In the absence of the second-rower – issued a dismissal before halftime for a shoulder to the head of Thomas Ramos – the South Africans could might well have faltered. Instead they just circled the wagons and set about taking the demoralized French side to what a retired hooker referred to as “a place of suffering.”

Guidance and Example

Afterwards, having been carried around the Stade de France on the powerful backs of the lock pairing to celebrate his 100th cap, the Springbok captain, the inspirational figure, once again highlighted how a significant number of his squad have been required to rise above personal challenges and how he wished his squad would in the same way continue to inspire people.

The perceptive an analyst also made an astute observation on sports media, stating that his results increasingly make him the rugby coaching equivalent of the legendary football manager. In the event that the world champions succeed in win a third successive World Cup there will be no doubt whatsoever. In case they fall short, the clever way in which the mentor has rejuvenated a possibly veteran team has been an object lesson to all.

Young Stars

Look no further than his 23-year-old fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who darted through for the closing score that properly blew open the home defense. Additionally another half-back, another playmaker with explosive speed and an keener ability to spot openings. Of course it is an advantage to operate behind a massive forward unit, with André Esterhuizen adding physicality, but the ongoing metamorphosis of the Springboks from intimidating giants into a squad who can also move with agility and sting like bees is remarkable.

Home Side's Moments

Which is not to say that the French team were totally outclassed, despite their weak ending. Their winger's additional score in the wing area was a good illustration. The power up front that tied in the South African pack, the glorious long pass from the full-back and the try-scorer's execution into the perimeter signage all demonstrated the characteristics of a team with significant talent, despite missing their star man.

Yet that in the end was insufficient, which really is a daunting prospect for everybody else. It would be impossible, for instance, that the Scottish side could have fallen behind by 17 points to South Africa and come galloping back in the way they did against the All Blacks. And for all the red rose's strong finish, there still exists a journey ahead before the national side can be certain of standing up to the world's top team with everything on the line.

Home Nations' Tests

Defeating an improving Fiji was challenging on Saturday although the forthcoming clash against the the Kiwis will be the match that properly defines their autumn. New Zealand are definitely still beatable, especially missing their key midfielder in their center, but when it comes to taking their chances they remain a step ahead the majority of the northern hemisphere teams.

The Thistles were particularly guilty of missing the chance to secure the killing points and uncertainties still hang over the red rose's optimal back division. It is acceptable ending matches well – and far superior than succumbing at the death – but their commendable winning sequence this year has so far featured only one win over world-class sides, a one-point home victory over France in February.

Future Prospects

Therefore the significance of this upround. Reading between the lines it would seem a number of adjustments are expected in the matchday squad, with experienced individuals returning to the lineup. In the pack, in the same way, first-choice players should all be back from the beginning.

However context is key, in sport as in reality. From now until the upcoming world championship the {rest