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Certain wins carry twofold significance in the statement they broadcast. Among the flood of weekend Test matches, it was Saturday night's score in Paris that will linger longest across the rugby world. Not merely the final score, but equally the manner of victory. To claim that the Springboks shattered various established assumptions would be an modest description of the calendar.

Surprising Comeback

Forget about the notion, for instance, that the French team would avenge the unfairness of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. That entering the last period with a narrow lead and an numerical superiority would lead to certain victory. That even without their star man their scrum-half, they still had more than enough resources to keep the powerful opponents at a distance.

As it turned out, it was a case of assuming victory too early. After being behind on the scoreboard, the South African side with a player sent off ended up scoring 19 unanswered points, strengthening their standing as a side who consistently deliver their finest rugby for the most challenging situations. Whereas beating New Zealand 43-10 in earlier this year was a statement, this was definitive evidence that the top-ranked team are developing an greater resilience.

Pack Power

If anything, the coach's title-winning pack are increasingly make everyone else look less intense by contrast. Both northern hemisphere teams each enjoyed their promising spells over the two-day period but lacked entirely the same powerful carriers that effectively reduced the home side to ruins in the closing period. Several up-and-coming young home nation players are coming through but, by the end, the encounter was hommes contre garçons.

Even more notable was the mental strength supporting it all. Without the second-rower – given a dismissal before halftime for a dangerous contact of Thomas Ramos – the South Africans could might well have become disorganized. On the contrary they simply regrouped and set about pulling the disheartened boys in blue to what an ex-France player described as “extreme physical pressure.”

Leadership and Inspiration

Following the match, having been carried around the Parisian stadium on the immense frames of the lock pairing to mark his century of appearances, the Springbok captain, the inspirational figure, repeatedly emphasized how a significant number of his squad have been needed to rise above life difficulties and how he aspired his side would similarly continue to inspire others.

The insightful David Flatman also made an shrewd point on sports media, suggesting that the coach's achievements increasingly make him the parallel figure of Sir Alex Ferguson. In the event that the world champions succeed in secure another global trophy there will be complete assurance. Should they fail to achieve it, the clever way in which the coach has refreshed a experienced team has been an masterclass to other teams.

New Generation

Consider his 23-year-old fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who sprinted past for the late try that effectively shattered the opposition line. And also another half-back, another half-back with blistering pace and an keener eye for a gap. Undoubtedly it is beneficial to play behind a massive forward unit, with the powerful center adding physicality, but the steady transformation of the South African team from scowling heavyweights into a team who can also float like butterflies and strike decisively is hugely impressive.

Home Side's Moments

However, it should not be thought that the French team were totally outclassed, in spite of their weak ending. Their winger's second try in the far side was a good illustration. The set-piece strength that occupied the Bok forwards, the excellent wide ball from the playmaker and the try-scorer's execution into the perimeter signage all demonstrated the characteristics of a squad with notable skill, without their captain.

Yet that turned out to be inadequate, which truly represents a sobering thought for competing teams. There is no way, for instance, that the visitors could have gone 17-0 down to South Africa and mounted a comeback in the way they did against the All Blacks. Despite England’s strong finish, there is a gap to close before Steve Borthwick’s squad can be confident of competing with the South African powerhouses with all at stake.

European Prospects

Overcoming an Pacific Island team proved tricky enough on the weekend although the forthcoming clash against the the Kiwis will be the match that accurately reflects their end-of-year series. New Zealand are certainly vulnerable, especially missing Jordie Barrett in their backline, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they remain a cut above the majority of the northern hemisphere teams.

Scotland were especially culpable of missing the chance to secure the decisive blows and uncertainties still apply to England’s optimal back division. It is all very well performing in the final quarter – and far superior than losing them late on – but their admirable undefeated streak this year has so far included just a single victory over world-class sides, a one-point home victory over Les Bleus in February.

Future Prospects

Therefore the weight of this upround. Analyzing the situation it would appear various alterations are anticipated in the starting lineup, with established stars being reinstated to the side. Up front, similarly, regular starters should be included from the outset.

Yet everything is relative, in rugby as in life. In the lead-up to the next global tournament the {rest