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Some victories send twofold significance in the message they convey. Among the flood of weekend rugby Tests, it was Saturday night's result in the French capital that will linger most profoundly across the globe. Not only the end result, but also the style of victory. To say that the Springboks shattered various established theories would be an understatement of the calendar.

Surprising Comeback

So much for the notion, for example, that the French team would make amends for the unfairness of their World Cup last-eight loss. Assuming that going into the final quarter with a small margin and an extra man would lead to certain victory. Even in the absence of their key player Antoine Dupont, they still had ample tranquiliser darts to contain the big beasts at a distance.

On the contrary, it was a case of assuming victory too early. Having been trailing by four points, the reduced Springboks concluded with racking up 19 points without reply, confirming their standing as a side who increasingly reserve their top performance for the toughest situations. While defeating the All Blacks by a large margin in the last quarter was a message, now came clear demonstration that the top-ranked team are building an greater resilience.

Set-Piece Superiority

If anything, the coach's champion Bok forwards are beginning to make all other teams look laissez-faire by contrast. Both northern hemisphere teams experienced their promising spells over the recent fixtures but possessed nothing like the same earthmovers that thoroughly overwhelmed France to rubble in the last half-hour. Several up-and-coming young home nation players are coming through but, by the final whistle, the encounter was men against boys.

Perhaps most impressive was the psychological resilience underpinning it all. Missing Lood de Jager – issued a red card in the first half for a dangerous contact of the opposition kicker – the Springboks could might well have lost their composure. On the contrary they just regrouped and began pulling the deflated home team to what an ex-France player referred to as “a place of suffering.”

Captaincy and Motivation

Following the match, having been borne aloft around the Parisian stadium on the gigantic shoulders of Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman to celebrate his 100th cap, the team leader, the flanker, once again stressed how a significant number of his squad have been required to rise above life difficulties and how he hoped his squad would in the same way continue to encourage people.

The ever-sage an analyst also made an perceptive comment on sports media, proposing that the coach's achievements more and more make him the rugby's version of the Manchester United great. In the event that the world champions do go on to win a third successive World Cup there will be absolute certainty. Should they fall short, the clever way in which the mentor has revitalized a experienced squad has been an masterclass to all.

New Generation

Look no further than his 23-year-old fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who skipped over for the late try that properly blew open the opposition line. And also another half-back, another playmaker with lightning acceleration and an keener vision for space. Undoubtedly it is an advantage to have the support of a massive forward unit, with the powerful center providing support, but the ongoing metamorphosis of the Springboks from intimidating giants into a side who can also float like butterflies and strike decisively is extraordinary.

Glimpses of French Quality

This is not to imply that the French team were completely dominated, notwithstanding their weak ending. The wing's additional score in the right corner was a clear example. The forward dominance that occupied the South African pack, the superb distribution from Ramos and the try-scorer's execution into the sideline boards all exhibited the characteristics of a side with considerable ability, without their captain.

But even that in the end was not enough, which is a sobering thought for competing teams. It would be impossible, for instance, that the Scottish side could have gone 17-0 down to the world champions and come galloping back in the way they did against the All Blacks. Notwithstanding the red rose's strong finish, there is a distance to travel before the England team can be certain of facing Erasmus’s green-clad giants with high stakes.

Home Nations' Tests

Overcoming an developing Fijian side proved tricky enough on Saturday although the next encounter against the New Zealand will be the contest that properly defines their end-of-year series. The All Blacks are not invincible, notably absent Jordie Barrett in their center, but when it comes to taking their chances they continue to be a step ahead the majority of the European sides.

The Thistles were especially culpable of missing the chance to secure the decisive blows and question marks still hang over the red rose's optimal back division. It is fine finishing games strongly – and much preferable than fading in the closing stages – but their notable undefeated streak this year has so far included just a single victory over elite-level teams, a close result over the French in February.

Future Prospects

Thus the importance of this coming Saturday. Reading between the lines it would appear several changes are anticipated in the starting lineup, with experienced individuals being reinstated to the lineup. Among the forwards, similarly, regular starters should be included from the beginning.

But everything is relative, in rugby as in reality. In the lead-up to the next global tournament the {rest