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A number of triumphs deliver double significance in the lesson they communicate. Amid the flood of weekend Test matches, it was the Saturday evening outcome in the French capital that will echo most profoundly across the globe. Not only the conclusion, but the way the style of success. To say that South Africa shattered various widely-held beliefs would be an modest description of the calendar.

Surprising Comeback

Forget about the idea, for instance, that the French team would rectify the unfairness of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. Assuming that going into the last period with a slight advantage and an extra man would translate into inevitable glory. That even without their key player their scrum-half, they still had sufficient resources to restrain the powerful opponents under control.

As it turned out, it was a case of assuming victory prematurely. Initially behind on the scoreboard, the South African side with a player sent off ended up registering 19 consecutive points, strengthening their status as a side who more and more deliver their finest rugby for the toughest scenarios. If beating New Zealand 43-10 in earlier this year was a declaration, now came clear demonstration that the top-ranked team are building an greater resilience.

Forward Dominance

Actually, Rassie Erasmus’s title-winning pack are beginning to make everyone else look less intense by contrast. Scotland and England both had their promising spells over the weekend but lacked entirely the same earthmovers that effectively reduced France to landfill in the final thirty minutes. Some promising young French forwards are developing but, by the conclusion, Saturday night was men against boys.

Even more notable was the mental strength driving it all. Missing their lock forward – issued a dismissal before halftime for a dangerous contact of the opposition kicker – the South Africans could easily have lost their composure. Instead they simply circled the wagons and began dragging the deflated boys in blue to what an ex-France player called “the hurt locker.”

Captaincy and Motivation

Afterwards, having been carried around the Stade de France on the powerful backs of Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman to celebrate his hundredth Test, the South African skipper, Siya Kolisi, once again highlighted how a significant number of his players have been required to overcome life difficulties and how he wished his squad would in the same way continue to motivate people.

The insightful a commentator also made an perceptive observation on sports media, proposing that the coach's achievements progressively make him the rugby coaching equivalent 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. Even if they come up short, the clever way in which the mentor has rejuvenated a potentially ageing team has been an exemplary model to all.

New Generation

Look no further than his 23-year-old fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who skipped over for the decisive touchdown that properly blew open the opposition line. Or another half-back, a further backline player with explosive speed and an more acute ability to spot openings. Undoubtedly it helps to operate behind a gargantuan pack, with André Esterhuizen adding physicality, but the continuing evolution of the South African team from scowling heavyweights into a squad who can also float like butterflies and strike decisively is extraordinary.

French Flashes

However, it should not be thought that the home side were utterly overwhelmed, notwithstanding their weak ending. Their winger's additional score in the far side was a prime instance. The forward dominance that occupied the visiting eight, the superb distribution from Ramos and the winger's clinical finish into the advertising hoardings all displayed the characteristics of a squad with notable skill, despite missing their captain.

Yet that in the end was insufficient, which really is a sobering thought for competing teams. It would be impossible, for instance, that the visitors could have fallen behind by 17 points to the world champions and come galloping back in the way they did against the All Blacks. Despite the red rose's late resurgence, there still exists a gap to close before Steve Borthwick’s squad can be confident of competing with the world's top team with all at stake.

Northern Hemisphere Challenges

Defeating an improving Fiji proved tricky enough on match day although the upcoming showdown against the New Zealand will be the fixture that truly shapes their end-of-year series. The All Blacks are certainly vulnerable, especially missing their key midfielder in their midfield, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they are still a step ahead the majority of the home unions.

The Scottish team were especially culpable of failing to hammer home the killing points and question marks still apply to the English side's perfect backline combination. It is acceptable performing in the final quarter – and much preferable than fading in the closing stages – but their commendable nine-match unbeaten run this year has so far shown just one success over world-class sides, a close result over the French in February.

Next Steps

Hence the weight of this upround. Reading between the lines it would appear a number of adjustments are expected in the starting lineup, with key players returning to the side. Up front, likewise, familiar faces should all be back from the start.

Yet context is key, in rugby as in reality. In the lead-up to the upcoming world championship the {rest