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A number of triumphs send dual importance in the statement they communicate. Within the flood of weekend rugby Tests, it was Saturday night's outcome in Paris that will echo most enduringly across the globe. Not just the end result, but the way the approach of success. To claim that the Springboks overturned various widely-held beliefs would be an oversimplification of the calendar.

Surprising Comeback

Forget about the idea, for instance, that the French team would make amends for the injustice of their World Cup elimination. That entering the closing stages with a narrow lead and an additional player would translate into assumed success. That even without their talisman their scrum-half, they still had more than enough tranquiliser darts to contain the powerful opponents under control.

On the contrary, it was a case of assuming victory too early. Having been trailing by four points, the 14-man Boks ended up scoring 19 unanswered points, reinforcing their status as a team who more and more save their best for the most challenging situations. While defeating the All Blacks by a large margin in September was a declaration, this was clear demonstration that the top-ranked team are building an more robust mentality.

Pack Power

In fact, Rassie Erasmus’s title-winning pack are beginning to make everyone else look less intense by comparison. Scotland and England both had their moments over the two-day period but possessed nothing like the same earthmovers that effectively reduced the home side to rubble in the last half-hour. Some promising young home nation players are emerging but, by the conclusion, Saturday night was hommes contre garçons.

Perhaps most impressive was the psychological resilience driving it all. In the absence of the second-rower – shown a 38th-minute straight red for a dangerous contact of the opposition kicker – the Springboks could potentially become disorganized. Instead they merely united and set about taking the demoralized French side to what a retired hooker referred to as “the hurt locker.”

Captaincy and Motivation

Following the match, having been hoisted around the venue on the immense frames of Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman to celebrate his 100th cap, the South African skipper, the flanker, yet again stressed how several of his players have been required to overcome personal challenges and how he wished his team would likewise continue to inspire people.

The ever-sage David Flatman also made an astute comment on television, proposing that the coach's achievements progressively make him the parallel figure of the Manchester United great. In the event that the world champions succeed in secure another global trophy there will be absolute certainty. In case they fail to achieve it, the clever way in which the mentor has rejuvenated a possibly veteran squad has been an object lesson to everyone.

Young Stars

Take for example his 23-year-old fly-half the newcomer who darted through for the closing score that properly blew open the French windows. And also Grant Williams, a second playmaker with lightning acceleration and an keener vision for space. Of course it is beneficial to operate behind a dominant set of forwards, with the powerful center riding shotgun, but the continuing evolution of the Boks from scowling heavyweights into a team who can also display finesse and sting like bees is remarkable.

Glimpses of French Quality

This is not to imply that the home side were totally outclassed, in spite of their fading performance. Their winger's additional score in the wing area was a prime instance. The set-piece strength that tied in the Bok forwards, the excellent wide ball from the playmaker and the winger's clinical finish into the sideline boards all demonstrated the traits of a side with considerable ability, even in the absence of their captain.

However, that ultimately proved not enough, which really is a humbling reality for everybody else. It would be impossible, for instance, that the Scottish side could have trailed heavily to the world champions and fought back in the way they did against the All Blacks. Despite the red rose's last-quarter improvement, there still exists a distance to travel before the national side can be assured of competing with the world's top team with all at stake.

European Prospects

Overcoming an developing Fijian side posed difficulties on Saturday although the forthcoming clash against the New Zealand will be the contest that properly defines their end-of-year series. The All Blacks are certainly vulnerable, notably absent their key midfielder in their midfield, but when it comes to taking their chances they are still a level above most the European sides.

Scotland were particularly guilty of missing the chance to secure the decisive blows and question marks still apply to the red rose's optimal back division. It is fine ending matches well – and much preferable than losing them late on – but their admirable winning sequence this year has so far shown just one success over elite-level teams, a one-point home victory over Les Bleus in earlier in the year.

Future Prospects

Hence the importance of this next weekend. Reading between the lines it would seem a number of adjustments are anticipated in the starting lineup, with experienced individuals returning to the lineup. Among the forwards, likewise, regular starters should be included from the start.

But context is key, in sport as in life. Between now and the upcoming world championship the {rest