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Certain wins send dual weight in the lesson they convey. Among the flood of weekend rugby Tests, it was Saturday night's outcome in the French capital that will resonate most profoundly across the globe. Not merely the conclusion, but equally the manner of victory. To suggest that South Africa shattered a number of widely-held beliefs would be an modest description of the season.

Shifting Momentum

Forget about the idea, for instance, that the French team would avenge the unfairness of their World Cup last-eight loss. Assuming that going into the closing stages with a slight advantage and an additional player would lead to assumed success. Despite missing their key player their scrum-half, they still had ample resources to keep the strong rivals safely at bay.

As it turned out, it was a case of assuming victory too early. Having been behind on the scoreboard, the reduced Springboks ended up racking up 19 points without reply, strengthening their reputation as a squad who consistently save their best for the toughest scenarios. If beating New Zealand 43-10 in earlier this year was a declaration, now came conclusive proof that the leading international squad are building an greater resilience.

Pack Power

If anything, Rassie Erasmus’s title-winning pack are increasingly make all other teams look less committed by comparison. The Scottish and English sides each enjoyed their periods of promise over the recent fixtures but did not have the same powerful carriers that effectively reduced the French pack to rubble in the closing period. A number of talented young French forwards are coming through but, by the final whistle, Saturday night was a mismatch in experience.

Perhaps most impressive was the psychological resilience driving it all. In the absence of the second-rower – shown a red card in the first half for a shoulder to the head of the French full-back – the Springboks could easily have become disorganized. On the contrary they simply united and set about taking the demoralized home team to what one former French international described as “extreme physical pressure.”

Captaincy and Motivation

Following the match, having been carried around the Stade de France on the powerful backs of the lock pairing to honor his century of appearances, the team leader, the inspirational figure, once again stressed how a significant number of his squad have been required to conquer off-field adversity and how he aspired his side would likewise continue to motivate people.

The insightful David Flatman also made an perceptive point on broadcast, proposing that the coach's achievements progressively make him the parallel figure of the Manchester United great. Should the Springboks manage to claim a third straight world title there will be no doubt whatsoever. Should they fall short, the intelligent way in which the coach has revitalized a possibly veteran team has been an object lesson to other teams.

Young Stars

Look no further than his emerging number 10 the newcomer who darted through for the decisive touchdown that properly blew open the opposition line. Or the scrum-half, another half-back with explosive speed and an even sharper vision for space. Naturally it helps to operate behind a massive forward unit, with André Esterhuizen providing support, but the steady transformation of the Springboks from physically imposing units into a side who can also move with agility and sting like bees is remarkable.

French Flashes

This is not to imply that the French team were totally outclassed, in spite of their limp finish. The wing's later touchdown in the right corner was a prime instance. The forward dominance that engaged the Bok forwards, the superb distribution from Ramos and the try-scorer's execution into the perimeter signage all displayed the hallmarks of a squad with significant talent, despite missing their captain.

However, that in the end was insufficient, which truly represents a humbling reality for competing teams. It is inconceivable, for instance, that the visitors could have trailed heavily to the Springboks and mounted a comeback in the way they did in their fixture. Despite England’s late resurgence, there still exists a gap to close before the England team can be confident of competing with Erasmus’s green-clad giants with everything on the line.

Northern Hemisphere Challenges

Overcoming an improving Fiji proved tricky enough on the weekend although the forthcoming clash against the the Kiwis will be the contest that truly shapes their November Tests. New Zealand are definitely still beatable, particularly without their key midfielder in their midfield, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they are still a cut above the majority of the European sides.

The Thistles were notably at fault of not finishing off the final nails and question marks 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 commendable undefeated streak this year has so far included just a single victory over elite-level teams, a narrow win over France in February.

Future Prospects

Thus the weight of this coming Saturday. Reading between the lines it would look like a number of adjustments are anticipated in the matchday squad, with experienced individuals being reinstated to the side. In the pack, likewise, familiar faces should all be back from the beginning.

But everything is relative, in sport as in existence. In the lead-up to the upcoming world championship the {rest