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Some victories carry twofold weight in the statement they broadcast. Among the barrage of weekend international rugby fixtures, it was Saturday night's result in Paris that will linger most enduringly 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 established beliefs would be an modest description of the rugby year.

Unexpected Turnaround

Discard the theory, for example, that the French team would rectify the unfairness of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. Assuming that going into the closing stages with a small margin and an extra man would translate into inevitable glory. Despite missing their talisman their scrum-half, they still had sufficient tranquiliser darts to restrain the big beasts at a distance.

Instead, it was a case of counting their poulets prematurely. After being 17-13 down, the reduced Springboks concluded with scoring 19 unanswered points, strengthening their standing as a team who more and more save their best for the most challenging circumstances. If defeating the All Blacks by a large margin in the last quarter was a statement, this was clear demonstration that the top-ranked team are cultivating an greater resilience.

Pack Power

Actually, Rassie Erasmus’s experienced front eight are increasingly make all other teams look less intense by contrast. The Scottish and English sides experienced their periods of promise over the weekend but possessed nothing like the same powerful carriers that thoroughly overwhelmed France to ruins in the closing period. A number of talented young French forwards are developing but, by the end, the encounter was men against boys.

What was perhaps even more striking was the psychological resilience underpinning it all. Missing Lood de Jager – given a 38th-minute straight red for a dangerous contact of the French full-back – the Boks could easily have become disorganized. On the contrary they just circled the wagons and began pulling the deflated boys in blue to what one former French international referred to as “extreme physical pressure.”

Guidance and Example

Following the match, having been borne aloft around the Parisian stadium on the gigantic shoulders of two key forwards to celebrate his century of appearances, the team leader, Siya Kolisi, once again highlighted how several of his team have been required to rise above personal challenges and how he hoped his side would similarly continue to inspire people.

The insightful a commentator also made an astute observation on television, proposing that the coach's achievements more and more make him the rugby coaching equivalent of the Manchester United great. If South Africa manage to secure another global trophy there will be no doubt whatsoever. Even if they come up short, the intelligent way in which the coach has rejuvenated a experienced squad has been an exemplary model to other teams.

New Generation

Consider his emerging number 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who skipped over for the late try that decisively broke the home defense. Or the scrum-half, a further backline player with blistering pace and an even sharper vision for space. Naturally it helps to play behind a massive forward unit, with the powerful center providing support, but the ongoing metamorphosis of the Boks from intimidating giants into a team who can also display finesse and deliver telling blows is hugely impressive.

French Flashes

However, it should not be thought that the home side were completely dominated, despite their weak ending. Their winger's second try in the right corner was a prime instance. The power up front that occupied the visiting eight, the excellent wide ball from Ramos and the winger's clinical finish into the sideline boards all exhibited the characteristics of a team with notable skill, despite missing Dupont.

Yet that turned out to be insufficient, which really is a daunting prospect for competing teams. It would be impossible, for instance, that the Scottish side could have fallen behind by 17 points to the world champions and fought back in the way they did in their fixture. Notwithstanding England’s late resurgence, there is a journey ahead before the national side can be certain of facing the South African powerhouses with high stakes.

European Prospects

Overcoming an improving Fiji was challenging on Saturday although the upcoming showdown against the the Kiwis will be the match that properly defines their end-of-year series. The All Blacks are not invincible, especially missing Jordie Barrett in their midfield, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they continue to be a step ahead most the home unions.

Scotland were especially culpable of not finishing off the decisive blows and doubts still surround the English side's perfect backline combination. It is fine finishing games strongly – and far superior than succumbing at the death – but their admirable nine-match unbeaten run this year has so far included just a single victory over top-drawer opposition, a narrow win over Les Bleus in the winter.

Looking Ahead

Thus the importance of this coming Saturday. Reading between the lines it would look like various alterations are expected in the matchday squad, with key players returning to the team. Up front, likewise, familiar faces should return from the outset.

But perspective matters, in sport as in life. In the lead-up to the next global tournament the {rest