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A number of triumphs carry dual weight in the message they broadcast. Among the barrage of weekend rugby Tests, it was Saturday night's result in the French capital that will resonate longest across the rugby world. Not merely the final score, but the way the style of success. To say that the Springboks demolished several established theories would be an understatement of the season.

Surprising Comeback

So much for the notion, for instance, that France would avenge the disappointment of their World Cup last-eight loss. Assuming that going into the final quarter with a small margin and an extra man would lead to assumed success. That even without their key player their scrum-half, they still had ample strategies to keep the powerful opponents under control.

On the contrary, it was a case of celebrating too soon before time. After being behind on the scoreboard, the 14-man Boks ended up registering 19 consecutive points, strengthening their status as a side who more and more deliver their finest rugby for the most challenging situations. Whereas overpowering New Zealand in Wellington in the last quarter was a declaration, here was clear demonstration that the leading international squad are building an more robust mentality.

Forward Dominance

Actually, the coach's title-winning pack are starting to make all other teams look less intense by contrast. Scotland and England experienced their promising spells over the two-day period but lacked entirely the same earthmovers that systematically dismantled France to landfill in the final thirty minutes. Some promising young France's pack members are developing but, by the final whistle, Saturday night was hommes contre garçons.

Perhaps most impressive was the inner fortitude driving it all. Missing Lood de Jager – issued a red card in the first half for a dangerous contact of Thomas Ramos – the Boks could might well have faltered. Instead they merely circled the wagons and began taking the disheartened home team to what a retired hooker referred to as “extreme physical pressure.”

Leadership and Inspiration

Following the match, having been carried around the Parisian stadium on the gigantic shoulders of Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman to honor his 100th cap, the South African skipper, Siya Kolisi, yet again stressed how a significant number of his players have been required to conquer life difficulties and how he hoped his team would likewise continue to encourage fans.

The ever-sage a commentator also made an perceptive observation on television, proposing that the coach's achievements increasingly make him the rugby coaching equivalent of Sir Alex Ferguson. Should the Springboks do go on to claim a third straight world title there will be absolute certainty. Even if they fail to achieve it, the clever way in which the coach has rejuvenated a experienced squad has been an exemplary model to all.

Young Stars

Consider his 23-year-old fly-half the newcomer who darted through for the decisive touchdown that decisively broke the home defense. And also Grant Williams, a second playmaker with lightning acceleration and an keener vision for space. Of course it is beneficial to have the support of a dominant set of forwards, with the powerful center providing support, but the steady transformation of the Springboks from scowling heavyweights into a squad who can also display finesse and deliver telling blows is remarkable.

French Flashes

This is not to imply that the home side were totally outclassed, notwithstanding their fading performance. The wing's later touchdown in the right corner was a clear example. The forward dominance that tied in the Bok forwards, the superb distribution from Ramos and the try-scorer's execution into the advertising hoardings all demonstrated the traits of a side with significant talent, even in the absence of Dupont.

However, that in the end was not enough, which really is a sobering thought for all other nations. It is inconceivable, for example, that Scotland could have gone 17-0 down to the Springboks and come galloping back in the way they did versus New Zealand. Notwithstanding the English team's strong finish, there still exists a distance to travel before Steve Borthwick’s squad can be assured of competing with Erasmus’s green-clad giants with everything on the line.

Northern Hemisphere Challenges

Overcoming an developing Fijian side posed difficulties on the weekend although the next encounter against the All Blacks will be the match that properly defines their autumn. The visitors are certainly vulnerable, especially missing Jordie Barrett in their backline, but when it comes to capitalizing on opportunities they are still a cut above almost all the European sides.

The Scottish team were notably at fault of failing to hammer home the killing points and question marks still hang over the English side's optimal back division. It is acceptable performing in the final quarter – and far superior than losing them late on – but their admirable undefeated streak this year has so far shown just one success over top-drawer opposition, a one-point home victory over Les Bleus in the winter.

Next Steps

Hence the weight of this coming Saturday. Interpreting the signals it would appear several changes are expected in the starting lineup, with key players being reinstated to the lineup. In the pack, in the same way, first-choice players should be included from the start.

Yet everything is relative, in rugby as in reality. Between now and the upcoming world championship the {rest