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Certain wins deliver twofold weight in the message they communicate. Within the barrage of weekend international rugby fixtures, it was the Saturday evening result in the French capital that will resonate longest across both hemispheres. Not merely the final score, but equally the manner of success. To suggest that the Springboks shattered several widely-held theories would be an modest description of the rugby year.

Unexpected Turnaround

So much for the idea, for example, that France would avenge the injustice of their World Cup elimination. Assuming that going into the final quarter with a slight advantage and an numerical superiority would lead to assumed success. That even without their key player their scrum-half, they still had more than enough strategies to contain the big beasts safely at bay.

On the contrary, it was a case of celebrating too soon prematurely. Having been 17-13 down, the 14-man Boks ended up registering 19 consecutive points, reinforcing their reputation as a side who more and more deliver their finest rugby for the most challenging scenarios. If defeating the All Blacks by a large margin in the last quarter was a statement, here was clear demonstration that the top-ranked team are cultivating an even thicker skin.

Forward Dominance

If anything, Rassie Erasmus’s title-winning pack are beginning to make everyone else look laissez-faire by contrast. Both northern hemisphere teams each enjoyed their promising spells over the two-day period but did not have the same earthmovers that thoroughly overwhelmed the home side to rubble in the last half-hour. A number of talented young France's pack members are emerging but, by the end, the match was hommes contre garçons.

What was perhaps even more striking was the inner fortitude driving it all. In the absence of Lood de Jager – given a red card in the first half for a high tackle of the French full-back – the South Africans could easily have become disorganized. On the contrary they simply regrouped and began dragging the deflated boys in blue to what one former French international called “a place of suffering.”

Guidance and Example

Following the match, having been borne aloft around the Stade de France on the immense frames of Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman to honor his 100th cap, the team leader, the flanker, once again emphasized how many of his squad have been required to rise above personal challenges and how he hoped his squad would in the same way continue to inspire people.

The perceptive David Flatman also made an shrewd comment on broadcast, proposing that his results more and more make him the parallel figure of the legendary football manager. If South Africa do go on to secure another global trophy there will be complete assurance. Should they come up short, the clever way in which the coach has rejuvenated a experienced squad has been an masterclass to everyone.

Young Stars

Consider his young playmaker the newcomer who darted through for the closing score that properly blew open the home defense. Or another half-back, a second playmaker with explosive speed and an more acute vision for space. Of course it helps to have the support of a gargantuan pack, with the powerful center adding physicality, but the ongoing metamorphosis of the South African team from scowling heavyweights into a side who can also display finesse and deliver telling blows is remarkable.

Home Side's Moments

Which is not to say that the home side were totally outclassed, in spite of their weak ending. Damian Penaud’s second try in the wing area was a good illustration. The set-piece strength that engaged the Bok forwards, the excellent wide ball from the playmaker and Penaud’s finishing dive into the sideline boards all displayed the traits of a side with significant talent, without Dupont.

But even that in the end was not enough, which truly represents a sobering thought for competing teams. It is inconceivable, for instance, that the visitors could have fallen behind by 17 points to the world champions and mounted a comeback in the way they did versus New Zealand. Despite England’s last-quarter improvement, there remains a distance to travel before the England team can be assured of competing with Erasmus’s green-clad giants with everything on the line.

European Prospects

Defeating an developing Fijian side posed difficulties on match day although the upcoming showdown against the All Blacks will be the fixture that accurately reflects their November Tests. The visitors are not invincible, notably absent their key midfielder in their backline, but when it comes to capitalizing on opportunities they are still a step ahead most the home unions.

Scotland were notably at fault of missing the chance to secure the final nails and uncertainties still surround England’s ideal backline blend. It is acceptable finishing games strongly – and much preferable than losing them late on – but their admirable nine-match unbeaten run this year has so far featured only one win over world-class sides, a narrow win over the French in the winter.

Future Prospects

Therefore the importance of this coming Saturday. Interpreting the signals it would seem a number of adjustments are anticipated in the team selection, with established stars returning to the side. Up front, likewise, regular starters should all be back from the beginning.

Yet context is key, in competition as in reality. Between now and the upcoming world championship the {rest