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Certain wins send double significance in the message they broadcast. Among the flurry of weekend rugby Tests, it was the Saturday evening result in the French capital that will resonate longest across the rugby world. Not merely the end result, but the way the approach of achievement. To claim that the Springboks demolished a number of widely-held beliefs would be an understatement of the rugby year.

Surprising Comeback

Discard the idea, for example, that France would avenge the disappointment of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. That entering the closing stages with a narrow lead and an additional player would translate into certain victory. Even in the absence of their talisman their scrum-half, they still had ample resources to contain the strong rivals at a distance.

Instead, it was a case of assuming victory before time. Initially behind on the scoreboard, the reduced Springboks finished by scoring 19 unanswered points, confirming their standing as a team who increasingly reserve their top performance for the most demanding circumstances. Whereas overpowering New Zealand in Wellington in the last quarter was a message, here was conclusive proof that the top-ranked team are building an even thicker skin.

Forward Dominance

If anything, Rassie Erasmus’s champion Bok forwards are starting to make everyone else look laissez-faire by comparison. Scotland and England both had their moments over the two-day period but lacked entirely the same powerful carriers that effectively reduced the French pack to rubble in the last half-hour. Several up-and-coming young home nation players are developing but, by the final whistle, the encounter was a mismatch in experience.

Perhaps most impressive was the psychological resilience supporting it all. Without their lock forward – issued a dismissal before halftime for a dangerous contact of the French full-back – the South Africans could potentially become disorganized. As it happened they just regrouped and began taking the deflated French side to what one former French international called “extreme physical pressure.”

Guidance and Example

Afterwards, having been hoisted around the Parisian stadium on the powerful backs of the lock pairing to celebrate his hundredth Test, the Springbok captain, Siya Kolisi, repeatedly stressed how several of his players have been required to rise above life difficulties and how he hoped his squad would in the same way continue to motivate people.

The ever-sage David Flatman also made an shrewd observation on television, suggesting that the coach's achievements more and more make him the rugby coaching equivalent of the legendary football manager. Should the Springboks do go on to win a third successive World Cup there will be absolute certainty. Should they fail to achieve it, the intelligent way in which the mentor has rejuvenated a potentially ageing team has been an exemplary model to everyone.

New Generation

Look no further than his emerging number 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who sprinted past for the late try that properly blew open the French windows. And also another half-back, another playmaker with blistering pace and an keener eye for a gap. Of course it is beneficial to play behind a dominant set of forwards, with the inside back riding shotgun, but the continuing evolution of the South African team from physically imposing units into a team who can also display finesse and sting like bees is extraordinary.

Home Side's Moments

Which is not to say that France were utterly overwhelmed, notwithstanding their weak ending. Their winger's additional score in the wing area was a good illustration. The forward dominance that engaged the visiting eight, the excellent wide ball from the playmaker and Penaud’s finishing dive into the sideline boards all exhibited the hallmarks of a squad with significant talent, without their star man.

Yet that in the end was insufficient, which truly represents a daunting prospect for all other nations. It is inconceivable, for example, that the Scottish side could have trailed heavily to South Africa and come galloping back in the way they did in their fixture. And for all the English team's last-quarter improvement, there remains a journey ahead before the national side can be confident of standing up to Erasmus’s green-clad giants with everything on the line.

Home Nations' Tests

Defeating an Pacific Island team was challenging on Saturday although the forthcoming clash against the All Blacks will be the fixture that accurately reflects their autumn. New Zealand are certainly vulnerable, especially missing Jordie Barrett in their midfield, but when it comes to taking their chances they are still a step ahead most the home unions.

The Thistles were notably at fault of failing to hammer home the final nails and doubts still apply to the English side's perfect backline combination. It is fine ending matches well – and much preferable than losing them late on – but their commendable winning sequence this year has so far shown just one success over top-drawer opposition, a one-point home victory over the French in February.

Future Prospects

Thus the significance of this coming Saturday. Analyzing the situation it would look like several changes are anticipated in the team selection, with key players coming back to the lineup. Up front, likewise, regular starters should return from the outset.

However perspective matters, in sport as in reality. From now until the next global tournament the {rest