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A number of triumphs carry dual weight in the lesson they communicate. Among the flood of weekend international rugby fixtures, it was the Saturday evening score in Paris that will echo most enduringly across both hemispheres. Not just the final score, but equally the approach of victory. To claim that the Springboks shattered various comfortable assumptions would be an modest description of the rugby year.

Surprising Comeback

So much for the idea, for example, that France would rectify the injustice of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. Assuming that going into the final quarter with a narrow lead and an numerical superiority would result in certain victory. That even without their key player their scrum-half, they still had ample tranquiliser darts to keep the strong rivals safely at bay.

As it turned out, it was a case of celebrating too soon too early. Initially behind on the scoreboard, the 14-man Boks finished by racking up 19 points without reply, strengthening their reputation as a side who more and more deliver their finest rugby for the most challenging scenarios. While beating New Zealand 43-10 in earlier this year was a declaration, here was definitive evidence that the top-ranked team are developing an greater resilience.

Pack Power

If anything, Erasmus's experienced front eight are increasingly make everyone else look laissez-faire by comparison. Both northern hemisphere teams both had their periods of promise over the weekend but possessed nothing like the same dominant forwards that effectively reduced the home side to ruins in the last half-hour. Several up-and-coming young French forwards are emerging but, by the conclusion, the match was a mismatch in experience.

Perhaps most impressive was the inner fortitude driving it all. Without their lock forward – issued a red card in the first half for a shoulder to the head of the opposition kicker – the South Africans could might well have lost their composure. As it happened they simply circled the wagons and proceeded to taking the deflated French side to what a retired hooker called “the hurt locker.”

Leadership and Inspiration

Following the match, having been carried around the Parisian stadium on the gigantic shoulders of two key forwards to mark his hundredth Test, the South African skipper, Siya Kolisi, repeatedly stressed how many of his squad have been required to conquer off-field adversity and how he hoped his team would similarly continue to inspire fans.

The insightful an analyst also made an perceptive comment on television, suggesting that his results more and more make him the rugby coaching equivalent of Sir Alex Ferguson. If South Africa do go on to secure another global trophy there will be absolute certainty. In case they come up short, the intelligent way in which the coach has refreshed a experienced roster has been an masterclass to other teams.

New Generation

Consider his 23-year-old fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who skipped over for the closing score that properly blew open the opposition line. Or the scrum-half, another playmaker with lightning acceleration and an keener ability to spot openings. Naturally it is an advantage to have the support of a massive forward unit, with the powerful center providing support, but the continuing evolution of the South African team from physically imposing units into a team who can also move with agility and strike decisively is hugely impressive.

Home Side's Moments

However, it should not be thought that the home side were utterly overwhelmed, despite their weak ending. Damian Penaud’s later touchdown in the wing area was a prime instance. The set-piece strength that engaged the Bok forwards, the superb distribution from Ramos and the try-scorer's execution into the perimeter signage all exhibited the hallmarks of a team with significant talent, even in the absence of their star man.

Yet that ultimately proved insufficient, which really is a humbling reality for everybody else. It would be impossible, for example, that Scotland could have fallen behind by 17 points to the world champions and fought back in the way they did in their fixture. And for all the red rose's last-quarter improvement, there remains a journey ahead before the national side can be certain of competing with the South African powerhouses with high stakes.

Home Nations' Tests

Defeating an Pacific Island team proved tricky enough on the weekend although the upcoming showdown against the All Blacks will be the contest that accurately reflects their November Tests. New Zealand are certainly vulnerable, notably absent an influential back in their midfield, but when it comes to taking their chances they remain a cut above the majority of the European sides.

The Scottish team were notably at fault of not finishing off the final nails and uncertainties still apply to the red rose's perfect backline combination. It is acceptable performing in the final quarter – and much preferable than succumbing at the death – but their commendable winning sequence this year has so far included just a single victory over world-class sides, a one-point home victory over the French in the winter.

Next Steps

Thus the significance of this next weekend. Interpreting the signals it would look like various alterations are expected in the team selection, with key players returning to the lineup. Up front, in the same way, regular starters should be included from the outset.

Yet everything is relative, in sport as in life. Between now and the next global tournament the {rest