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A number of triumphs send double significance in the lesson they communicate. Within the flood of weekend international rugby fixtures, it was Saturday night's outcome in the French capital that will linger most enduringly across both hemispheres. Not just the final score, but the way the approach of victory. To suggest that the Springboks shattered a number of widely-held beliefs would be an understatement of the rugby year.

Shifting Momentum

Forget about the idea, for instance, that the French team would make amends for the unfairness of their World Cup elimination. That entering the last period with a slight advantage and an additional player would result in inevitable glory. That even without their key player Antoine Dupont, they still had ample tranquiliser darts to keep the strong rivals safely at bay.

On the contrary, it was a case of counting their poulets before time. Having been behind on the scoreboard, the South African side with a player sent off finished by registering 19 consecutive points, confirming their status as a side who more and more save their best for the toughest scenarios. While beating New Zealand 43-10 in September was a statement, now came definitive evidence that the world’s No 1 side are building an more robust mentality.

Pack Power

If anything, the coach's title-winning pack are increasingly make everyone else look less intense by contrast. Scotland and England both had their promising spells over the weekend but possessed nothing like the same powerful carriers that thoroughly overwhelmed the French pack to landfill in the last half-hour. Some promising young home nation players are coming through but, by the final whistle, the match was hommes contre garçons.

Perhaps most impressive was the mental strength supporting it all. Missing the second-rower – shown a dismissal before halftime for a high tackle of Thomas Ramos – the South Africans could might well have become disorganized. Instead they merely regrouped and began dragging the demoralized boys in blue to what one former French international referred to as “the hurt locker.”

Guidance and Example

Following the match, having been carried around the Stade de France on the powerful backs of Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman to mark his hundredth Test, the team leader, the flanker, repeatedly highlighted how many of his team have been obliged to conquer off-field adversity and how he wished his squad would similarly continue to inspire others.

The ever-sage an analyst also made an astute comment on sports media, suggesting that the coach's achievements increasingly make him the parallel figure of the Manchester United great. Should the Springboks succeed in win a third successive World Cup there will be no doubt whatsoever. Even if they fall short, the smart way in which the mentor has refreshed a experienced roster has been an object lesson to everyone.

Young Stars

Take for example his 23-year-old fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who skipped over for the closing score that effectively shattered the opposition line. Or another half-back, a further playmaker with explosive speed and an more acute vision for space. Undoubtedly it helps to have the support of 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 display finesse and sting like bees is remarkable.

Home Side's Moments

Which is not to say that the home side were completely dominated, notwithstanding their fading performance. The wing's additional score in the far side was a clear example. The set-piece strength that occupied the visiting eight, the excellent wide ball from Ramos and Penaud’s finishing dive into the perimeter signage all displayed the traits of a squad with significant talent, even in the absence of Dupont.

However, that ultimately proved inadequate, which is a daunting prospect for all other nations. There is no way, for example, that Scotland could have trailed heavily to South Africa and come galloping back in the way they did against the All Blacks. Notwithstanding the red rose's last-quarter improvement, there is a journey ahead before the England team can be certain of standing up to the world's top team with all at stake.

Northern Hemisphere Challenges

Beating an Pacific Island team posed difficulties on Saturday although the upcoming showdown against the All Blacks will be the match that truly shapes their end-of-year series. The visitors are certainly vulnerable, especially missing their key midfielder in their midfield, but when it comes to capitalizing on opportunities they continue to be a level above most the home unions.

The Thistles were especially culpable of failing to hammer home the killing points and question marks still hang over the English side's perfect backline combination. It is acceptable finishing games strongly – and far superior than fading in the closing stages – but their notable nine-match unbeaten run this year has so far featured only one win over top-drawer opposition, a narrow win over Les Bleus in the winter.

Future Prospects

Hence the importance of this upround. Reading between the lines it would look like several changes are likely in the starting lineup, with key players returning to the lineup. Among the forwards, similarly, regular starters should return from the outset.

But perspective matters, in competition as in life. From now until the upcoming world championship the {rest