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Some victories carry twofold significance in the lesson they convey. Among the barrage of weekend rugby Tests, it was Saturday night's score in Paris that will linger most enduringly across the rugby world. Not merely the final score, but the way the approach of success. To claim that the Springboks demolished a number of widely-held beliefs would be an oversimplification of the season.

Shifting Momentum

Discard the theory, for example, that France would rectify the unfairness of their World Cup last-eight loss. That entering the final quarter with a slight advantage and an extra man would lead to certain victory. Even in the absence of their talisman Antoine Dupont, they still had more than enough resources to restrain the powerful opponents safely at bay.

Instead, it was a case of counting their poulets too early. Having been trailing by four points, the South African side with a player sent off ended up registering 19 consecutive points, reinforcing their reputation as a squad who increasingly deliver their finest rugby for the most demanding circumstances. If defeating the All Blacks by a large margin in September was a message, here was definitive evidence that the leading international squad are developing an even thicker skin.

Pack Power

If anything, Erasmus's experienced front eight are starting to make everyone else look laissez-faire by comparison. The Scottish and English sides experienced their moments over the weekend but lacked entirely the same dominant forwards that thoroughly overwhelmed France to ruins in the final thirty minutes. Some promising young French forwards are developing but, by the conclusion, the match was a mismatch in experience.

Perhaps most impressive was the mental strength supporting it all. Without their lock forward – shown a red card in the first half for a dangerous contact of the opposition kicker – the Boks could easily have lost their composure. On the contrary they just united and proceeded to dragging the demoralized French side to what a retired hooker called “a place of suffering.”

Captaincy and Motivation

Following the match, having been carried around the venue on the powerful backs of two key forwards to honor his 100th cap, the South African skipper, the inspirational figure, repeatedly stressed how several of his squad have been obliged to rise above off-field adversity and how he hoped his side would similarly continue to encourage people.

The ever-sage an analyst also made an shrewd comment on television, stating that his results more and more make him the parallel figure of the Manchester United great. Should the Springboks do go on to secure another global trophy there will be complete assurance. Even if they fail to achieve it, the smart way in which the mentor has rejuvenated a potentially ageing roster has been an masterclass to all.

Emerging Talent

Consider his emerging number 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who sprinted past for the closing score that decisively broke the home defense. Or the scrum-half, a second half-back with blistering pace and an keener eye for a gap. Undoubtedly it helps to play behind a dominant set of forwards, with André Esterhuizen providing support, but the continuing evolution of the South African team from physically imposing units into a team who can also float like butterflies and strike decisively is remarkable.

Glimpses of French Quality

Which is not to say that France were totally outclassed, in spite of their limp finish. The wing's later touchdown in the far side was a prime instance. The forward dominance that occupied the South African pack, the excellent wide ball from Ramos and Penaud’s finishing dive into the perimeter signage all demonstrated the characteristics of a team with significant talent, even in the absence of Dupont.

However, that in the end was insufficient, which is a daunting prospect for all other nations. It would be impossible, for instance, that the Scottish side could have trailed heavily to South Africa and mounted a comeback in the way they did in their fixture. And for all England’s last-quarter improvement, there remains a journey ahead before the national side can be confident of competing with the world's top team with everything on the line.

European Prospects

Overcoming an improving Fiji was challenging on match day although the next encounter against the the Kiwis will be the match that truly shapes their end-of-year series. New Zealand are definitely still beatable, particularly without their key midfielder in their backline, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they are still a cut above the majority of the home unions.

The Thistles were particularly guilty of missing the chance to secure the killing points and uncertainties still hang over the red rose's perfect backline combination. It is fine finishing games strongly – and infinitely better than fading in the closing stages – but their commendable nine-match unbeaten run this year has so far featured only one win over world-class sides, a one-point home victory over the French in earlier in the year.

Future Prospects

Hence the weight of this upround. Reading between the lines it would seem several changes are likely in the team selection, with experienced individuals returning to the team. Among the forwards, similarly, familiar faces should be included from the start.

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