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Some victories deliver twofold weight in the lesson they broadcast. Among the flood of weekend international rugby fixtures, it was Saturday night's score in Paris that will linger longest across both hemispheres. Not only the end result, but equally the approach of achievement. To claim that South Africa shattered several established assumptions would be an understatement of the rugby year.

Surprising Comeback

Forget about the theory, for instance, that France would make amends for the injustice of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. That entering the last period with a narrow lead and an numerical superiority would result in certain victory. Even in the absence of their star man their scrum-half, they still had more than enough resources to keep the strong rivals under control.

Instead, it was a case of counting their poulets prematurely. Initially 17-13 down, the 14-man Boks ended up racking up 19 points without reply, strengthening their reputation as a side who consistently deliver their finest rugby for the toughest situations. Whereas beating New Zealand 43-10 in September was a statement, here was conclusive proof that the world’s No 1 side are developing an greater resilience.

Pack Power

In fact, Rassie Erasmus’s title-winning pack are beginning to make opposing sides look laissez-faire by juxtaposition. Both northern hemisphere teams both had their periods of promise over the two-day period but lacked entirely the same earthmovers that systematically dismantled France to ruins in the last half-hour. A number of talented young France's pack members are emerging but, by the end, the encounter was hommes contre garçons.

Even more notable was the inner fortitude underpinning it all. Without Lood de Jager – issued a 38th-minute straight red for a dangerous contact of Thomas Ramos – the Boks could easily have faltered. Instead they just regrouped and set about dragging the deflated home team to what one former French international referred to as “a place of suffering.”

Leadership and Inspiration

Post-game, having been carried around the Parisian stadium on the powerful backs of two key forwards to honor his century of appearances, the South African skipper, the flanker, repeatedly emphasized how a significant number of his team have been obliged to conquer life difficulties and how he wished his squad would likewise continue to inspire others.

The insightful David Flatman also made an astute comment on television, proposing that his results more and more make him the parallel figure of the Manchester United great. In the event that the world champions manage to win a third successive World Cup there will be absolute certainty. Even if they come up short, the smart way in which the coach has refreshed a possibly veteran squad has been an object lesson to all.

Emerging Talent

Look no further than his 23-year-old fly-half the rising star who sprinted past for the closing score that effectively shattered the opposition line. Or another half-back, a further backline player with lightning acceleration and an keener vision for space. Of course it is beneficial to operate behind a massive forward unit, with the powerful center providing support, but the steady transformation of the Boks from scowling heavyweights into a squad who can also move with agility and strike decisively is hugely impressive.

Glimpses of French Quality

However, it should not be thought that France were completely dominated, in spite of their limp finish. Their winger's later touchdown in the right corner was a clear example. The set-piece strength that engaged the South African pack, the excellent wide ball from the playmaker and the winger's clinical finish into the sideline boards all displayed the hallmarks of a team with significant talent, without Dupont.

However, that turned out to be inadequate, which really is a daunting prospect for competing teams. It would be impossible, for instance, that the visitors could have gone 17-0 down to South Africa and fought back in the way they did against the All Blacks. And for all England’s late resurgence, there remains a gap to close before the England team can be confident of standing up to the South African powerhouses with all at stake.

Northern Hemisphere Challenges

Defeating an Pacific Island team posed difficulties on Saturday although the next encounter against the All Blacks will be the contest that truly shapes their end-of-year series. The visitors are definitely still beatable, particularly without their key midfielder in their center, but when it comes to capitalizing on opportunities they continue to be a cut above most the European sides.

The Scottish team were particularly guilty of failing to hammer home the killing points and uncertainties still hang over the English side's optimal back division. It is all very well performing in the final quarter – 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 world-class sides, a narrow win over Les Bleus in the winter.

Next Steps

Therefore the weight of this coming Saturday. Interpreting the signals it would appear several changes are expected in the team selection, with established stars being reinstated to the team. Among the forwards, likewise, familiar faces should return from the start.

But context is key, in sport as in life. In the lead-up to the upcoming world championship the {rest