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Certain wins deliver dual weight in the message they communicate. Among the flurry of weekend Test matches, it was the Saturday evening result in the French capital that will linger most profoundly across both hemispheres. Not merely the end result, but also the style of success. To say that South Africa shattered several widely-held theories would be an modest description of the season.

Unexpected Turnaround

So much for the theory, for example, that France would rectify the unfairness of their World Cup last-eight loss. That entering the last period with a slight advantage and an extra man would translate into assumed success. Even in the absence of their star man their captain, they still had more than enough strategies to contain the big beasts safely at bay.

On the contrary, it was a case of counting their poulets too early. Having been behind on the scoreboard, the South African side with a player sent off concluded with scoring 19 unanswered points, strengthening their reputation as a squad who increasingly reserve their top performance for the toughest situations. Whereas beating New Zealand 43-10 in September was a message, now came clear demonstration that the leading international squad are cultivating an even thicker skin.

Pack Power

If anything, the coach's title-winning pack are increasingly make everyone else look laissez-faire by comparison. The Scottish and English sides experienced their promising spells over the two-day period but possessed nothing like the same dominant forwards that systematically dismantled the home side to landfill in the final thirty minutes. A number of talented young French forwards are coming through but, by the conclusion, the encounter was men against boys.

Even more notable was the psychological resilience underpinning it all. In the absence of their lock forward – given a red card in the first half for a high tackle of the French full-back – the Springboks could easily have lost their composure. As it happened they simply circled the wagons and began dragging the disheartened French side to what an ex-France player referred to as “the hurt locker.”

Leadership and Inspiration

Following the match, having been borne aloft around the venue on the gigantic shoulders of two key forwards to celebrate his century of appearances, the Springbok captain, Siya Kolisi, once again highlighted how several of his squad have been needed to conquer life difficulties and how he aspired his squad would similarly continue to encourage people.

The ever-sage David Flatman also made an astute point on broadcast, proposing that Erasmus’s record progressively make him the rugby's version of Sir Alex Ferguson. In the event that the world champions succeed in claim a third straight world title there will be no doubt whatsoever. In case they come up short, the intelligent way in which the coach has revitalized a potentially ageing squad has been an masterclass to all.

New Generation

Consider his young playmaker the rising star who skipped over for the late try that properly blew open the French windows. Additionally Grant Williams, another playmaker with lightning acceleration and an keener eye for a gap. Undoubtedly it helps to have the support of a gargantuan pack, 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.

Home Side's Moments

However, it should not be thought that the home side were totally outclassed, in spite of their weak ending. The wing's additional score in the wing area was a good illustration. The set-piece strength that occupied the Bok forwards, the excellent wide ball from the full-back and Penaud’s finishing dive into the perimeter signage all displayed the characteristics of a side with significant talent, without their captain.

But even that ultimately proved inadequate, which truly represents a sobering thought for competing teams. There is no way, for example, that Scotland could have gone 17-0 down to South Africa and fought back in the way they did versus New Zealand. Notwithstanding the English team's strong finish, there is a journey ahead before the national side can be confident of standing up to the South African powerhouses with high stakes.

Northern Hemisphere Challenges

Defeating an improving Fiji proved tricky enough on match day although the upcoming showdown against the All Blacks will be the match that truly shapes their end-of-year series. The visitors are not invincible, especially missing their key midfielder in their midfield, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they continue to be a cut above most the home unions.

Scotland were particularly guilty of failing to hammer home the final nails and question marks still apply to the red rose's perfect backline combination. It is all very well finishing games strongly – and far superior than succumbing at the death – but their commendable nine-match unbeaten run this year has so far shown just one success over elite-level teams, a narrow win over the French in the winter.

Looking Ahead

Therefore the weight of this next weekend. Interpreting the signals it would appear a number of adjustments are likely in the matchday squad, with established stars being reinstated to the team. In the pack, in the same way, familiar faces should be included from the outset.

Yet everything is relative, in rugby as in existence. Between now and the upcoming world championship the {rest