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A number of triumphs carry twofold significance in the lesson they communicate. Amid the flurry of weekend rugby Tests, it was the Saturday evening result in Paris that will echo most enduringly across the rugby world. Not only the final score, but equally the style of success. To say that the Springboks overturned a number of established assumptions would be an understatement of the calendar.

Shifting Momentum

Discard the theory, for example, that the French team would make amends for the disappointment of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. That entering the last period with a narrow lead and an extra man would lead to inevitable glory. That even without their talisman Antoine Dupont, they still had sufficient strategies to contain the strong rivals at a distance.

Instead, it was a case of celebrating too soon before time. Initially behind on the scoreboard, the South African side with a player sent off finished by racking up 19 points without reply, strengthening their status as a side who more and more reserve their top performance for the most demanding scenarios. While defeating the All Blacks by a large margin in earlier this year was a statement, this was clear demonstration that the world’s No 1 side are developing an greater resilience.

Forward Dominance

Actually, the coach's champion Bok forwards are increasingly make everyone else look laissez-faire by comparison. Scotland and England experienced their periods of promise over the two-day period but lacked entirely the same dominant forwards that thoroughly overwhelmed the French pack to landfill in the closing period. Several up-and-coming young home nation players are developing but, by the end, the match was a mismatch in experience.

Perhaps most impressive was the psychological resilience underpinning it all. Missing the second-rower – given a dismissal before halftime for a dangerous contact of the opposition kicker – the South Africans could potentially faltered. Instead they merely circled the wagons and set about taking the deflated French side to what an ex-France player described as “extreme physical pressure.”

Guidance and Example

Following the match, having been borne aloft around the Stade de France on the gigantic shoulders of two key forwards to mark his 100th cap, the team leader, the inspirational figure, once again stressed how a significant number of his team have been obliged to conquer life difficulties and how he hoped his team would in the same way continue to motivate people.

The perceptive David Flatman also made an shrewd comment on sports media, suggesting that his results more and more make him the rugby's version of the legendary football manager. In the event that the world champions do go on to claim a third straight world title there will be no doubt whatsoever. Even if they come up short, the smart way in which the coach has refreshed a possibly veteran squad has been an object lesson to all.

Young Stars

Consider his 23-year-old fly-half the rising star who darted through for the closing score that properly blew open the home defense. Additionally the scrum-half, another playmaker with blistering pace and an more acute eye for a gap. Naturally it is an advantage to operate behind a dominant set of forwards, with the inside back providing support, but the continuing evolution of the South African team from scowling heavyweights into a team who can also display finesse and sting like bees is hugely impressive.

French Flashes

Which is not to say that France were utterly overwhelmed, despite their fading performance. Damian Penaud’s additional score in the far side was a prime instance. The set-piece strength that occupied the South African pack, the glorious long pass from Ramos and the winger's clinical finish into the sideline boards all demonstrated the hallmarks of a side with notable skill, even in the absence of their captain.

But even that turned out to be not enough, which really is a daunting prospect for competing teams. It is inconceivable, for instance, that the Scottish side could have gone 17-0 down to South Africa and come galloping back in the way they did against the All Blacks. Notwithstanding the English team's strong finish, there is a distance to travel before the England team can be assured of competing with the world's top team with high stakes.

Home Nations' Tests

Overcoming an developing Fijian side was challenging on the weekend although the next encounter against the New Zealand will be the fixture that truly shapes their November Tests. The visitors are not invincible, particularly without Jordie Barrett in their midfield, but when it comes to capitalizing on opportunities they are still a step ahead the majority of the home unions.

The Scottish team were especially culpable of not finishing off the decisive blows and doubts still hang over the English side's ideal backline blend. It is acceptable ending matches well – and far superior than succumbing at the death – but their commendable winning sequence this year has so far included just a single victory over top-drawer opposition, a close result over France in February.

Looking Ahead

Therefore the importance of this coming Saturday. Reading between the lines it would seem several changes are anticipated in the matchday squad, with key players coming back to the lineup. In the pack, similarly, first-choice players should be included from the start.

But everything is relative, in sport as in reality. From now until the next global tournament the {rest