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Certain wins deliver dual importance in the statement they broadcast. Among the flurry of weekend Test matches, it was Saturday night's result in Paris that will linger most profoundly across the globe. Not just the end result, but the way the manner of victory. To suggest that the Springboks overturned various widely-held theories would be an modest description of the calendar.

Shifting Momentum

Forget about the idea, for instance, that France would avenge the injustice of their World Cup elimination. Assuming that going into the last period with a narrow lead and an extra man would lead to assumed success. Even in the absence of their talisman their scrum-half, they still had ample resources to keep the strong rivals at a distance.

As it turned out, it was a case of celebrating too soon before time. Initially 17-13 down, the 14-man Boks ended up registering 19 consecutive points, confirming their status as a squad who increasingly reserve their top performance for the most demanding situations. If beating New Zealand 43-10 in earlier this year was a statement, now came clear demonstration that the top-ranked team are building an even thicker skin.

Forward Dominance

In fact, Rassie Erasmus’s champion Bok forwards are starting to make opposing sides look laissez-faire by comparison. The Scottish and English sides both had their promising spells over the two-day period but did not have the same powerful carriers that systematically dismantled the French pack to rubble in the last half-hour. Several up-and-coming young France's pack members are coming through but, by the final whistle, the match was a mismatch in experience.

Perhaps most impressive was the mental strength underpinning it all. Without their lock forward – shown a red card in the first half for a shoulder to the head of the opposition kicker – the Boks could potentially lost their composure. As it happened they merely regrouped and proceeded to taking the demoralized boys in blue to what one former French international called “a place of suffering.”

Guidance and Example

Post-game, having been hoisted around the Parisian stadium on the powerful backs of Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman to mark his century of appearances, the Springbok captain, Siya Kolisi, once again highlighted how several of his team have been required to rise above off-field adversity and how he aspired his team would in the same way continue to encourage people.

The perceptive a commentator also made an perceptive observation on broadcast, stating that the coach's achievements increasingly make him the rugby's version of Sir Alex Ferguson. Should the Springboks succeed in win a third successive World Cup there will be absolute certainty. Even if they come up short, the smart way in which the mentor has refreshed a possibly veteran roster has been an masterclass to other teams.

Emerging Talent

Take for example his 23-year-old fly-half the rising star who sprinted past for the decisive touchdown that effectively shattered the opposition line. Or another half-back, a second playmaker with explosive speed and an more acute vision for space. Undoubtedly it is beneficial to have the support of a massive forward unit, with the powerful center adding physicality, but the steady transformation of the Boks from physically imposing units into a squad who can also move with agility and strike decisively is extraordinary.

French Flashes

This is not to imply that France were completely dominated, notwithstanding their weak ending. The wing's later touchdown in the right corner was a clear example. The forward dominance that engaged the South African pack, the superb distribution from the full-back and the try-scorer's execution into the sideline boards all displayed the hallmarks of a side with significant talent, despite missing Dupont.

But even that ultimately proved inadequate, which is a sobering thought for all other nations. It would be impossible, for example, that the visitors could have gone 17-0 down to the world champions and fought back in the way they did in their fixture. And for all the English team's strong finish, there remains a gap to close before the national side can be confident of standing up to the world's top team with high stakes.

European Prospects

Beating an developing Fijian side posed difficulties on match day although the upcoming showdown against the the Kiwis will be the fixture that truly shapes their end-of-year series. New Zealand are definitely still beatable, particularly without Jordie Barrett in their center, but when it comes to taking their chances they are still a level above the majority of the northern hemisphere teams.

Scotland were notably at fault of missing the chance to secure the final nails and question marks still apply to England’s ideal backline blend. It is fine performing in the final quarter – and much preferable than losing them late on – but their notable winning sequence this year has so far included just a single victory over top-drawer opposition, a close result over the French in February.

Next Steps

Thus the weight of this next weekend. Interpreting the signals it would appear various alterations are anticipated in the team selection, with experienced individuals being reinstated to the side. In the pack, similarly, first-choice players should return from the start.

However perspective matters, in rugby as in reality. Between now and the upcoming world championship the {rest