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Certain wins carry twofold importance in the lesson they communicate. Within the barrage of weekend rugby Tests, it was Saturday night's outcome in Paris that will linger longest across both hemispheres. Not only the conclusion, but equally the style of success. To say that the Springboks shattered various widely-held beliefs would be an oversimplification of the season.

Shifting Momentum

So much for the theory, for instance, that the French team would rectify the disappointment of their World Cup elimination. Assuming that going into the final quarter with a small margin and an additional player would result in assumed success. Despite missing their key player their scrum-half, they still had sufficient strategies to restrain the powerful opponents under control.

On the contrary, it was a case of celebrating too soon prematurely. Having been trailing by four points, the South African side with a player sent off finished by racking up 19 points without reply, strengthening their status as a side who consistently deliver their finest rugby for the most challenging circumstances. While overpowering New Zealand in Wellington in the last quarter was a statement, now came conclusive proof that the top-ranked team are developing an even thicker skin.

Pack Power

If anything, Rassie Erasmus’s champion Bok forwards are increasingly make all other teams look less intense by contrast. Both northern hemisphere teams each enjoyed their moments over the weekend but did not have the same dominant forwards that effectively reduced the home side to rubble in the final thirty minutes. Some promising young France's pack members are coming through but, by the conclusion, the encounter was men against boys.

Even more notable was the psychological resilience underpinning it all. Without Lood de Jager – given a 38th-minute straight red for a high tackle of the opposition kicker – the South Africans could easily have lost their composure. Instead they simply circled the wagons and proceeded to dragging the demoralized home team to what an ex-France player referred to as “a place of suffering.”

Guidance and Example

Following the match, having been borne aloft around the Parisian stadium on the powerful backs of Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman to mark his century of appearances, the South African skipper, the flanker, yet again emphasized how many of his players have been required to conquer life difficulties and how he aspired his squad would in the same way continue to encourage fans.

The ever-sage a commentator also made an perceptive point on sports media, stating that the coach's achievements increasingly make him the rugby's version of the Manchester United great. Should the Springboks succeed in claim a third straight world title there will be absolute certainty. Should they fail to achieve it, the smart way in which the coach has refreshed a potentially ageing squad has been an exemplary model to all.

Young Stars

Look no further than his 23-year-old fly-half the newcomer who sprinted past for the closing score that decisively broke the home defense. And also Grant Williams, a second playmaker with lightning acceleration and an even sharper vision for space. Undoubtedly it is an advantage to play behind a gargantuan pack, with the inside back adding physicality, but the ongoing metamorphosis of the Boks from physically imposing units into a team who can also display finesse and deliver telling blows is hugely impressive.

Glimpses of French Quality

This is not to imply that the French team were utterly overwhelmed, despite their fading performance. Damian Penaud’s additional score in the far side was a clear example. The set-piece strength that tied in the South African pack, the glorious long pass from the full-back and the winger's clinical finish into the perimeter signage all displayed the characteristics of a side with considerable ability, even in the absence of their star man.

But even that ultimately proved not enough, which truly represents a sobering thought for everybody else. There is no way, for example, that Scotland could have gone 17-0 down to the world champions and mounted a comeback in the way they did versus New Zealand. Despite England’s strong finish, there still exists a journey ahead before Steve Borthwick’s squad can be confident of standing up to the world's top team with high stakes.

Northern Hemisphere Challenges

Overcoming an developing Fijian side proved tricky enough on match day although the forthcoming clash against the All Blacks will be the contest that properly defines their end-of-year series. New Zealand are not invincible, particularly without Jordie Barrett in their backline, but when it comes to capitalizing on opportunities they remain a step ahead most the home unions.

The Thistles were especially culpable of not finishing off the final nails and question marks still apply to England’s ideal backline blend. It is acceptable performing in the final quarter – 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 the winter.

Next Steps

Therefore the significance of this coming Saturday. Interpreting the signals it would seem a number of adjustments are expected in the team selection, with key players coming back to the team. In the pack, similarly, first-choice players should all be back from the start.

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