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Certain wins send double importance in the statement they convey. Among the barrage of weekend rugby Tests, it was the Saturday evening score in Paris that will echo longest across both hemispheres. Not merely the conclusion, but also the style of success. To suggest that South Africa shattered several established assumptions would be an understatement of the season.

Surprising Comeback

Forget about the notion, for instance, that France would make amends for the unfairness of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. Assuming that going into the closing stages with a narrow lead and an extra man would result in assumed success. Despite missing their star man Antoine Dupont, they still had ample resources to contain the powerful opponents at a distance.

On the contrary, it was a case of counting their poulets too early. After being behind on the scoreboard, the reduced Springboks finished by registering 19 consecutive points, strengthening their reputation as a squad who increasingly save their best for the most demanding scenarios. Whereas defeating the All Blacks by a large margin in the last quarter was a declaration, now came conclusive proof that the top-ranked team are building an more robust mentality.

Pack Power

If anything, Rassie Erasmus’s experienced front eight are starting to make opposing sides look less intense by contrast. The Scottish and English sides each enjoyed their promising spells over the recent fixtures but possessed nothing like the same powerful carriers that thoroughly overwhelmed the home side to landfill in the last half-hour. A number of talented young French forwards are coming through but, by the conclusion, the match was men against boys.

Even more notable was the inner fortitude driving it all. Without their lock forward – shown a red card in the first half for a high tackle of Thomas Ramos – the South Africans could easily have lost their composure. As it happened they merely circled the wagons and set about taking the demoralized boys in blue to what a retired hooker called “the hurt locker.”

Guidance and Example

Afterwards, having been borne aloft around the Parisian stadium on the gigantic shoulders of Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman to mark his 100th cap, the South African skipper, the inspirational figure, yet again emphasized how a significant number of his team have been needed to rise above off-field adversity and how he hoped his squad would likewise continue to encourage others.

The insightful David Flatman also made an astute observation on television, suggesting that the coach's achievements more and more make him the rugby coaching equivalent of Sir Alex Ferguson. In the event that the world champions manage to secure another global trophy there will be complete assurance. Even if they fall short, the smart way in which the coach has revitalized a possibly veteran team has been an object lesson to everyone.

Young Stars

Take for example his 23-year-old fly-half the rising star who sprinted past for the decisive touchdown that effectively shattered the opposition line. And also the scrum-half, a second backline player with explosive speed and an even sharper eye for a gap. Naturally it is beneficial to have the support of a massive forward unit, with André Esterhuizen adding physicality, but the ongoing metamorphosis of the South African team from physically imposing units into a team who can also float like butterflies and deliver telling blows is extraordinary.

Home Side's Moments

However, it should not be thought that the home side were utterly overwhelmed, in spite of their weak ending. Damian Penaud’s additional score in the wing area was a good illustration. The set-piece strength that tied in the South African pack, the superb distribution from the playmaker and the try-scorer's execution into the sideline boards all exhibited the characteristics of a squad with notable skill, without their star man.

However, that turned out to be not enough, which is a humbling reality for competing teams. There is no way, for instance, that the visitors 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 red rose's strong finish, there still exists a journey ahead before the national side can be confident of facing the world's top team with everything on the line.

European Prospects

Overcoming an improving Fiji posed difficulties on Saturday although the next encounter against the the Kiwis will be the contest that accurately reflects their November Tests. New Zealand are definitely still beatable, particularly without Jordie Barrett in their center, but when it comes to capitalizing on opportunities they remain a step ahead almost all the home unions.

Scotland were especially culpable of not finishing off the decisive blows and question marks still hang over England’s optimal back division. It is fine finishing games strongly – and far superior than losing them late on – but their notable nine-match unbeaten run this year has so far featured only one win over top-drawer opposition, a one-point home victory over Les Bleus in February.

Looking Ahead

Hence the significance of this next weekend. Interpreting the signals it would seem a number of adjustments are likely in the starting lineup, with experienced individuals coming back to the team. In the pack, likewise, familiar faces should all be back from the start.

But everything is relative, in rugby as in life. From now until the 2027 World Cup the {rest