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Some victories send dual importance in the message they convey. Amid the barrage of weekend Test matches, it was Saturday night's score in the French capital that will echo most profoundly across both hemispheres. Not just the conclusion, but equally the manner of victory. To claim that the Springboks overturned several widely-held beliefs would be an modest description of the rugby year.

Unexpected Turnaround

Discard the notion, for instance, that the French team would rectify the disappointment of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. That entering the last period with a small margin and an additional player would translate into certain victory. Despite missing their talisman their scrum-half, they still had ample strategies to restrain the strong rivals under control.

As it turned out, it was a case of counting their poulets too early. After being behind on the scoreboard, the 14-man Boks finished by scoring 19 unanswered points, strengthening their status as a side who consistently deliver their finest rugby for the most demanding scenarios. If beating New Zealand 43-10 in the last quarter was a statement, here was clear demonstration that the leading international squad are cultivating an greater resilience.

Forward Dominance

If anything, Rassie Erasmus’s title-winning pack are starting to make all other teams look less intense by juxtaposition. The Scottish and English sides both had their moments over the weekend but did not have the same powerful carriers that effectively reduced the French pack to ruins in the last half-hour. Several up-and-coming young French forwards are coming through but, by the final whistle, Saturday night was hommes contre garçons.

Perhaps most impressive was the inner fortitude underpinning it all. Missing Lood de Jager – shown a 38th-minute straight red for a shoulder to the head of the French full-back – the Springboks could potentially faltered. On the contrary they simply circled the wagons and set about dragging the deflated French side to what a retired hooker called “extreme physical pressure.”

Leadership and Inspiration

Post-game, having been borne aloft around the Parisian stadium on the powerful backs of the lock pairing to honor his hundredth Test, the Springbok captain, the flanker, repeatedly stressed how several of his players have been required to rise above off-field adversity and how he hoped his team would similarly continue to encourage people.

The insightful an analyst also made an astute observation on broadcast, stating that his results increasingly make him the parallel figure of the Manchester United great. In the event that the world champions manage to win a third successive World Cup there will be no doubt whatsoever. In case they come up short, the smart way in which the mentor has revitalized a potentially ageing squad has been an masterclass to other teams.

Young Stars

Take for example his young playmaker the newcomer who sprinted past for the late try that decisively broke the opposition line. Or another half-back, another playmaker with lightning acceleration and an more acute ability to spot openings. Of course it is an advantage to operate behind a massive forward unit, with the powerful center riding shotgun, but the continuing evolution of the Springboks from scowling heavyweights into a squad who can also display finesse and strike decisively is hugely impressive.

Glimpses of French Quality

This is not to imply that France were utterly overwhelmed, notwithstanding their limp finish. Damian Penaud’s later touchdown in the far side was a prime instance. The set-piece strength that engaged the visiting eight, the superb distribution from the playmaker and Penaud’s finishing dive into the perimeter signage all exhibited the characteristics of a team with significant talent, despite missing their star man.

However, that turned out to be not enough, which really is a sobering thought for all other nations. There is no way, for instance, that the Scottish side could have trailed heavily to the Springboks and fought back in the way they did versus New Zealand. And for all England’s strong finish, there still exists a distance to travel before the national side can be confident of standing up to the world's top team with high stakes.

European Prospects

Beating an improving Fiji posed difficulties on the weekend although the next encounter against the New Zealand will be the fixture that truly shapes their autumn. The All Blacks are certainly vulnerable, particularly without their key midfielder in their center, but when it comes to taking their chances they remain a level above almost all the European sides.

Scotland were particularly guilty of missing the chance to secure the decisive blows and doubts still surround the red rose's perfect backline combination. It is all very well performing in the final quarter – and infinitely better than succumbing at the death – but their admirable winning sequence this year has so far shown just one success over top-drawer opposition, a one-point home victory over France in earlier in the year.

Future Prospects

Thus the importance of this upround. Analyzing the situation it would seem several changes are anticipated in the starting lineup, with experienced individuals coming back to the side. Among the forwards, similarly, first-choice players should be included from the outset.

However perspective matters, in rugby as in existence. In the lead-up to the next global tournament the {rest