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Certain wins deliver double significance in the message they broadcast. Within the flurry of weekend Test matches, it was the Saturday evening outcome in the French capital that will echo longest across the globe. Not only the end result, but the way the approach of achievement. To suggest that the Springboks overturned a number of widely-held beliefs would be an oversimplification of the rugby year.

Surprising Comeback

Discard the idea, for example, that the French team would make amends for the unfairness of their World Cup elimination. The belief that entering the last period with a slight advantage and an numerical superiority would result in inevitable glory. That even without their star man their scrum-half, they still had sufficient tranquiliser darts to restrain the strong rivals under control.

As it turned out, it was a case of assuming victory prematurely. Having been behind on the scoreboard, the South African side with a player sent off finished by registering 19 consecutive points, confirming their standing as a squad who consistently reserve their top performance for the toughest scenarios. If overpowering New Zealand in Wellington in September was a declaration, now came conclusive proof that the world’s No 1 side are cultivating an more robust mentality.

Set-Piece Superiority

If anything, Rassie Erasmus’s title-winning pack are starting to make opposing sides look laissez-faire by contrast. The Scottish and English sides both had their promising spells over the recent fixtures but lacked entirely the same earthmovers that effectively reduced the French pack to landfill in the final thirty minutes. Several up-and-coming young home nation players are developing but, by the final whistle, Saturday night was a mismatch in experience.

Perhaps most impressive was the mental strength driving it all. Without Lood de Jager – given a red card in the first half for a shoulder to the head of Thomas Ramos – the Boks could easily have faltered. Instead they merely united and proceeded to taking the deflated boys in blue to what a retired hooker described as “a place of suffering.”

Leadership and Inspiration

Afterwards, having been borne aloft around the venue on the powerful backs of the lock pairing to mark his century of appearances, the team leader, the inspirational figure, repeatedly highlighted how several of his team have been required to rise above off-field adversity and how he hoped his team would similarly continue to inspire fans.

The perceptive David Flatman also made an astute point on broadcast, suggesting that Erasmus’s record progressively make him the parallel figure of the legendary football manager. If South Africa manage to secure another global trophy there will be no doubt whatsoever. Should they come up short, the intelligent way in which Erasmus has refreshed a experienced roster has been an masterclass to everyone.

Young Stars

Take for example his young playmaker the rising star who sprinted past for the decisive touchdown that decisively broke the French windows. Or Grant Williams, a further half-back with blistering pace and an keener ability to spot openings. Undoubtedly it is beneficial to operate behind a massive forward unit, with the powerful center providing support, but the continuing evolution of the Boks from intimidating giants into a squad who can also float like butterflies and strike decisively is extraordinary.

Glimpses of French Quality

Which is not to say that the home side were totally outclassed, in spite of their fading performance. The wing's later touchdown in the right corner was a prime instance. The power up front that engaged the South African pack, the superb distribution from the playmaker and Penaud’s finishing dive into the advertising hoardings all exhibited the hallmarks of a side with notable skill, even in the absence of their star man.

Yet that in the end was not enough, which truly represents a humbling reality for competing teams. It is inconceivable, for example, that the visitors could have gone 17-0 down to the Springboks and mounted a comeback in the way they did versus New Zealand. Despite the English team's strong finish, there still exists a journey ahead before the England team can be certain of standing up to the world's top team with everything on the line.

Home Nations' Tests

Defeating an Pacific Island team proved tricky enough on the weekend although the upcoming showdown against the the Kiwis will be the contest that properly defines their end-of-year series. New Zealand are certainly vulnerable, especially missing their key midfielder in their midfield, but when it comes to taking their chances they are still a level above almost all the European sides.

Scotland were especially culpable of failing to hammer home the final nails and doubts still hang over the English side's ideal backline blend. It is all very well finishing games strongly – and much preferable than succumbing at the death – but their commendable undefeated streak this year has so far shown just one success over world-class sides, a narrow win over France in February.

Future Prospects

Hence the weight of this coming Saturday. Analyzing the situation it would seem several changes are likely in the starting lineup, with established stars returning to the side. In the pack, similarly, regular starters should all be back from the beginning.

However context is key, in sport as in life. Between now and the next global tournament the {rest