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Certain wins deliver double weight in the lesson they convey. Among the flurry of weekend Test matches, it was the Saturday evening result in the French capital that will linger most enduringly across the globe. Not only the end result, but also the approach of achievement. To claim that the Springboks overturned several established beliefs would be an understatement of the season.

Shifting Momentum

Discard the theory, for example, that the French team would make amends for the disappointment of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. The belief that entering the closing stages with a slight advantage and an numerical superiority would result in inevitable glory. Despite missing their star man Antoine Dupont, they still had ample resources to restrain the strong rivals under control.

As it turned out, it was a case of assuming victory before time. Having been 17-13 down, the 14-man Boks finished by racking up 19 points without reply, reinforcing their reputation as a side who increasingly deliver their finest rugby for the most demanding scenarios. Whereas beating New Zealand 43-10 in the last quarter was a statement, now came clear demonstration that the world’s No 1 side are building an greater resilience.

Forward Dominance

Actually, the coach's title-winning pack are starting to make all other teams look less intense by juxtaposition. The Scottish and English sides experienced their moments over the recent fixtures but possessed nothing like the same dominant forwards that thoroughly overwhelmed the French pack to rubble in the last half-hour. Some promising young home nation players are emerging but, by the final whistle, the encounter was men against boys.

Even more notable was the mental strength driving it all. Without Lood de Jager – shown a dismissal before halftime for a high tackle of the opposition kicker – the Springboks could might well have become disorganized. Instead they just united and began dragging the deflated boys in blue to what an ex-France player referred to as “extreme physical pressure.”

Leadership and Inspiration

Post-game, having been hoisted around the Parisian stadium on the immense frames of Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman to celebrate his hundredth Test, the South African skipper, the inspirational figure, repeatedly stressed how several of his players have been needed to conquer life difficulties and how he hoped his squad would likewise continue to inspire others.

The ever-sage an analyst also made an perceptive point on television, proposing that his results increasingly make him the rugby coaching equivalent of Sir Alex Ferguson. If South Africa do go on to secure another global trophy there will be no doubt whatsoever. In case they fall short, the intelligent way in which the coach has refreshed a possibly veteran squad has been an object lesson to all.

Young Stars

Look no further than his young playmaker Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who darted through for the decisive touchdown that properly blew open the home defense. Additionally Grant Williams, a further playmaker with blistering pace and an more acute ability to spot openings. Undoubtedly it helps to operate behind a massive forward unit, with the inside back providing support, but the steady transformation of the Boks from scowling heavyweights into a side who can also move with agility and strike decisively is remarkable.

French Flashes

However, it should not be thought that the home side were utterly overwhelmed, in spite of their fading performance. Their winger's second try in the wing area was a good illustration. The forward dominance that tied in the Bok forwards, the glorious long pass from the playmaker and Penaud’s finishing dive into the advertising hoardings all displayed the traits of a squad with notable skill, without their star man.

But even that ultimately proved insufficient, which really is a daunting prospect for competing teams. It is inconceivable, for example, that the visitors could have gone 17-0 down to the Springboks and fought back in the way they did in their fixture. Notwithstanding England’s last-quarter improvement, there is a distance to travel before the national side can be certain of competing with the South African powerhouses with all at stake.

European Prospects

Defeating an improving Fiji posed difficulties on the weekend although the upcoming showdown against the All Blacks will be the contest that truly shapes their autumn. The All Blacks are definitely still beatable, especially missing Jordie Barrett in their backline, but when it comes to capitalizing on opportunities they are still a step ahead almost all the home unions.

Scotland were notably at fault of missing the chance to secure the final nails and doubts still apply to the English side's perfect backline combination. It is acceptable performing in the final quarter – and far superior than losing them late on – but their notable undefeated streak this year has so far featured only one win over elite-level teams, a narrow win over Les Bleus in the winter.

Future Prospects

Therefore the significance of this next weekend. Interpreting the signals it would look like a number of adjustments are likely in the team selection, with experienced individuals returning to the side. In the pack, in the same way, familiar faces should return from the outset.

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