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Some victories send dual 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 most enduringly across the globe. Not merely the final score, but also the manner of victory. To suggest that the Springboks demolished various widely-held theories would be an modest description of the rugby year.

Surprising Comeback

Forget about the theory, for instance, that the French team would make amends for the disappointment of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. That entering the final quarter with a narrow lead and an additional player would lead to certain victory. Despite missing their talisman their captain, they still had sufficient tranquiliser darts to keep the powerful opponents under control.

Instead, it was a case of assuming victory too early. After being trailing by four points, the 14-man Boks finished by racking up 19 points without reply, confirming their standing as a team who consistently deliver their finest rugby for the most challenging circumstances. If overpowering New Zealand in Wellington in the last quarter was a declaration, here was definitive evidence that the top-ranked team are building an even thicker skin.

Pack Power

In fact, the coach's experienced front eight are increasingly make everyone else look laissez-faire by comparison. The Scottish and English sides each enjoyed their promising spells over the recent fixtures but possessed nothing like the same powerful carriers that thoroughly overwhelmed the home side to ruins in the closing period. A number of talented young France's pack members are developing but, by the conclusion, Saturday night was hommes contre garçons.

What was perhaps even more striking was the mental strength supporting it all. Without their lock forward – shown a red card in the first half for a shoulder to the head of the French full-back – the South Africans could easily have faltered. As it happened they just united and began taking the deflated home team to what one former French international called “the hurt locker.”

Captaincy and Motivation

Afterwards, having been borne aloft around the Parisian stadium on the immense frames of two key forwards to honor his century of appearances, the Springbok captain, the inspirational figure, repeatedly stressed how several of his players have been required to overcome off-field adversity and how he wished his squad would similarly continue to encourage fans.

The ever-sage an analyst also made an shrewd observation on sports media, stating that the coach's achievements increasingly make him the parallel figure of the Manchester United great. If South Africa do go on to win a third successive World Cup there will be absolute certainty. Even if they fail to achieve it, the intelligent way in which the mentor has rejuvenated a experienced team has been an exemplary model to all.

Emerging Talent

Consider his emerging number 10 the rising star who darted through for the decisive touchdown that decisively broke the opposition line. Or the scrum-half, a further half-back with lightning acceleration and an keener ability to spot openings. Undoubtedly it is an advantage to have the support of a massive forward unit, with the inside back adding physicality, but the steady transformation of the South African team from scowling heavyweights into a team who can also display finesse and deliver telling blows is hugely impressive.

French Flashes

Which is not to say that the French team were completely dominated, despite their fading performance. Their winger's second try in the wing area was a prime instance. The forward dominance that occupied the Bok forwards, the glorious long pass from the full-back and Penaud’s finishing dive into the perimeter signage all exhibited the traits of a side with considerable ability, without their star man.

Yet that in the end was not enough, which is a humbling reality for everybody else. There is no way, for example, that the visitors could have gone 17-0 down to the world champions and come galloping back in the way they did versus New Zealand. And for all the English team's last-quarter improvement, there is a distance to travel before the England team can be certain of competing with the world's top team with all at stake.

Home Nations' Tests

Beating an Pacific Island team proved tricky enough on match day although the forthcoming clash against the All Blacks will be the contest that properly defines their autumn. The All Blacks are definitely still beatable, notably absent their key midfielder in their center, but when it comes to capitalizing on opportunities they remain a cut above almost all the European sides.

The Scottish team were notably at fault of failing to hammer home the killing points and uncertainties still apply to the English side's ideal backline blend. It is acceptable performing in the final quarter – and infinitely better than fading in the closing stages – but their commendable nine-match unbeaten run this year has so far featured only one win over top-drawer opposition, a close result over the French in earlier in the year.

Next Steps

Thus the importance of this next weekend. Reading between the lines it would seem a number of adjustments are likely in the matchday squad, with experienced individuals coming back to the side. Among the forwards, likewise, regular starters should be included from the beginning.

However everything is relative, in competition as in existence. From now until the next global tournament the {rest