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Certain wins carry twofold significance in the message they convey. Within the flood of weekend rugby Tests, it was the Saturday evening outcome in Paris that will resonate most enduringly across the rugby world. Not just the conclusion, but the way the manner of victory. To say that South Africa shattered a number of established assumptions would be an understatement of the calendar.

Surprising Comeback

Discard the idea, for example, that the French team would avenge the unfairness of their World Cup elimination. That entering the final quarter with a slight advantage and an extra man would lead to assumed success. That even without their key player their captain, they still had sufficient resources to contain the big beasts safely at bay.

As it turned out, it was a case of assuming victory prematurely. Having been trailing by four points, the reduced Springboks ended up racking up 19 points without reply, confirming their standing as a team who increasingly reserve their top performance for the most demanding scenarios. If beating New Zealand 43-10 in the last quarter was a message, this was conclusive proof that the world’s No 1 side are developing an more robust mentality.

Pack Power

In fact, Rassie Erasmus’s experienced front eight are starting to make all other teams look less committed by contrast. The Scottish and English sides both had their periods of promise over the weekend but lacked entirely the same dominant forwards that effectively reduced the home side to ruins in the closing period. Several up-and-coming young home nation players are emerging but, by the conclusion, Saturday night was men against boys.

Even more notable was the psychological resilience underpinning it all. Missing Lood de Jager – given a red card in the first half for a shoulder to the head of the opposition kicker – the South Africans could potentially lost their composure. As it happened they simply circled the wagons and set about pulling the demoralized home team to what one former French international described as “extreme physical pressure.”

Captaincy and Motivation

Following the match, having been hoisted around the venue on the powerful backs of two key forwards to mark his hundredth Test, the Springbok captain, the flanker, once again emphasized how many of his squad have been obliged to overcome personal challenges and how he hoped his team would likewise continue to inspire fans.

The ever-sage David Flatman also made an shrewd observation on broadcast, suggesting that Erasmus’s record more and more make him the rugby's version of the legendary football manager. Should the Springboks manage to claim a third straight world title there will be no doubt whatsoever. Should they fail to achieve it, the intelligent way in which the coach has refreshed a experienced squad has been an exemplary model to everyone.

New Generation

Take for example his 23-year-old fly-half the rising star who sprinted past for the decisive touchdown that properly blew open the opposition line. And also the scrum-half, another half-back with explosive speed and an more acute ability to spot openings. Naturally it helps to play behind a massive forward unit, with the inside back riding shotgun, but the continuing evolution of the Boks from physically imposing units into a team who can also float like butterflies and strike decisively is extraordinary.

Home Side's Moments

Which is not to say that the French team were utterly overwhelmed, despite their limp finish. The wing's later touchdown in the wing area was a good illustration. The set-piece strength that engaged the visiting eight, the excellent wide ball from Ramos and Penaud’s finishing dive into the advertising hoardings all exhibited the traits of a team with considerable ability, without their star man.

However, that in the end was insufficient, which is a humbling reality for all other nations. It would be impossible, for example, that Scotland 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 late resurgence, there is a distance to travel before the England team can be assured of standing up to the South African powerhouses with everything on the line.

Home Nations' Tests

Defeating an developing Fijian side proved tricky enough on Saturday although the next encounter against the New Zealand will be the fixture that truly shapes their end-of-year series. The visitors are definitely still beatable, especially missing their key midfielder in their center, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they are still a cut above most the northern hemisphere teams.

Scotland were notably at fault of not finishing off the decisive blows and uncertainties still surround England’s perfect backline combination. It is acceptable performing in the final quarter – and much preferable than succumbing at the death – but their notable undefeated streak this year has so far shown just one success over elite-level teams, a close result over Les Bleus in February.

Looking Ahead

Thus the significance of this coming Saturday. Reading between the lines it would seem several changes are likely in the starting lineup, with established stars being reinstated to the lineup. Up front, similarly, first-choice players should return from the beginning.

Yet everything is relative, in competition as in life. In the lead-up to the upcoming world championship the {rest