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Some victories send dual weight in the message they communicate. Within the barrage of weekend international rugby fixtures, it was Saturday night's result in the French capital that will resonate most profoundly across the rugby world. Not merely the end result, but equally the approach of achievement. To say that the Springboks shattered several comfortable assumptions would be an understatement of the rugby year.

Surprising Comeback

Discard the notion, for instance, that France would avenge the disappointment of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. That entering the final quarter with a narrow lead and an numerical superiority would translate into assumed success. Despite missing their talisman Antoine Dupont, they still had ample resources to restrain the strong rivals safely at bay.

On the contrary, it was a case of counting their poulets too early. After being 17-13 down, the reduced Springboks concluded with racking up 19 points without reply, strengthening their status as a side who more and more deliver their finest rugby for the most challenging situations. If defeating the All Blacks by a large margin in the last quarter was a declaration, this was clear demonstration that the top-ranked team are developing an more robust mentality.

Pack Power

Actually, Rassie Erasmus’s title-winning pack are starting to make everyone else look laissez-faire by comparison. Both northern hemisphere teams each enjoyed their periods of promise over the weekend but did not have the same powerful carriers that effectively reduced the home side to ruins in the last half-hour. Some promising young home nation players are emerging but, by the end, the encounter was hommes contre garçons.

What was perhaps even more striking was the mental strength underpinning it all. Missing their lock forward – issued a red card in the first half for a shoulder to the head of the French full-back – the Springboks could easily have lost their composure. Instead they merely circled the wagons and set about taking the demoralized boys in blue to what an ex-France player called “the hurt locker.”

Captaincy and Motivation

Post-game, having been carried around the Stade de France on the gigantic shoulders of Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman to honor his century of appearances, the South African skipper, Siya Kolisi, yet again stressed how many of his squad have been required to rise above personal challenges and how he aspired his team would likewise continue to motivate people.

The ever-sage a commentator also made an astute observation on television, proposing that his results increasingly make him the parallel figure of the Manchester United great. If South Africa manage to secure another global trophy there will be complete assurance. In case they fail to achieve it, the clever way in which the coach has rejuvenated a experienced team has been an masterclass to other teams.

New Generation

Consider his young playmaker the rising star who skipped over for the closing score that decisively broke the opposition line. Additionally Grant Williams, a further playmaker with blistering pace and an even sharper ability to spot openings. Naturally it is beneficial to play behind a massive forward unit, with the inside back adding physicality, but the continuing evolution of the Springboks from physically imposing units into a side who can also float like butterflies and sting like bees is remarkable.

Home Side's Moments

Which is not to say that the home side were totally outclassed, despite their fading performance. The wing's second try in the right corner was a clear example. The forward dominance that engaged the visiting eight, the excellent wide ball from the playmaker and the winger's clinical finish into the sideline boards all exhibited the hallmarks of a side with considerable ability, without their captain.

However, that turned out to be not enough, which is a humbling reality for all other nations. It would be impossible, for instance, that the Scottish side could have gone 17-0 down to South Africa and mounted a comeback in the way they did in their fixture. And for all the English team's late resurgence, there still exists a journey ahead before Steve Borthwick’s squad can be certain of competing with the world's top team with high stakes.

Home Nations' Tests

Overcoming an developing Fijian side posed difficulties on match day although the upcoming showdown against the New Zealand will be the match that properly defines their end-of-year series. The visitors are definitely still beatable, particularly without their key midfielder in their midfield, but when it comes to capitalizing on opportunities they continue to be a level above most the European sides.

Scotland were especially culpable of not finishing off the killing points and question marks still apply to the English side's optimal back division. It is all very well finishing games strongly – and infinitely better than fading in the closing stages – but their notable nine-match unbeaten run this year has so far included just a single victory over top-drawer opposition, a one-point home victory over France in the winter.

Next Steps

Therefore the weight of this upround. Interpreting the signals it would appear a number of adjustments are anticipated in the matchday squad, with experienced individuals coming back to the team. Up front, similarly, regular starters should all be back from the start.

Yet perspective matters, in competition as in life. From now until the next global tournament the {rest