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Certain wins deliver double importance in the message they broadcast. Within the flurry of weekend international rugby fixtures, it was the Saturday evening outcome in the French capital that will resonate longest across the rugby world. Not just the conclusion, but equally the manner of success. To say that the Springboks overturned various established theories would be an modest description of the calendar.

Shifting Momentum

So much for the notion, for example, that the French team would avenge the unfairness of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. The belief that entering the closing stages with a narrow lead and an numerical superiority would lead to inevitable glory. That even without their talisman their scrum-half, they still had ample strategies to contain the big beasts safely at bay.

On the contrary, it was a case of counting their poulets too early. After being trailing by four points, the reduced Springboks ended up scoring 19 unanswered points, confirming their status as a squad who consistently save their best for the toughest scenarios. If defeating the All Blacks by a large margin in the last quarter was a declaration, this was definitive evidence that the leading international squad are developing an greater resilience.

Set-Piece Superiority

If anything, the coach's title-winning pack are beginning to make everyone else look laissez-faire by juxtaposition. Both northern hemisphere teams experienced their promising spells over the recent fixtures but lacked entirely the same earthmovers that thoroughly overwhelmed the home side to ruins in the last half-hour. A number of talented young home nation players are coming through but, by the final whistle, Saturday night was hommes contre garçons.

What was perhaps even more striking was the psychological resilience supporting it all. In the absence of Lood de Jager – issued a 38th-minute straight red for a high tackle of Thomas Ramos – the Boks could potentially lost their composure. As it happened they just regrouped and set about taking the demoralized French side to what one former French international referred to as “a place of suffering.”

Captaincy and Motivation

Following the match, having been hoisted around the venue on the gigantic shoulders of two key forwards to mark his century of appearances, the South African skipper, the flanker, once again highlighted how many of his players have been obliged to rise above off-field adversity and how he aspired his squad would similarly continue to motivate fans.

The insightful an analyst also made an astute comment on sports media, stating that his results increasingly make him the rugby's version of Sir Alex Ferguson. Should the Springboks do go on to 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 team has been an object lesson to other teams.

Emerging Talent

Look no further than his emerging number 10 the rising star who darted through for the decisive touchdown that properly blew open the French windows. Or another half-back, a further backline player with blistering pace and an more acute vision for space. Of course it helps to play behind a dominant set of forwards, with the powerful center riding shotgun, but the ongoing metamorphosis of the South African team from physically imposing units into a squad who can also move with agility and sting like bees is extraordinary.

Home Side's Moments

This is not to imply that the home side were totally outclassed, notwithstanding their fading performance. Damian Penaud’s additional score in the wing area was a prime instance. The forward dominance that tied in the South African pack, the excellent wide ball from the playmaker and the try-scorer's execution into the perimeter signage all demonstrated the traits of a side with notable skill, even in the absence of Dupont.

Yet that ultimately proved not enough, which really is a daunting prospect for all other nations. It would be impossible, for example, that the Scottish side could have trailed heavily to the Springboks and come galloping back in the way they did in their fixture. Despite the red rose's last-quarter improvement, there still exists a gap to close before Steve Borthwick’s squad can be certain of standing up to Erasmus’s green-clad giants with high stakes.

European Prospects

Defeating an improving Fiji posed difficulties on match day although the next encounter against the the Kiwis will be the contest that properly defines their autumn. The All Blacks are certainly vulnerable, especially missing their key midfielder in their midfield, but when it comes to capitalizing on opportunities they remain a step ahead almost all the European sides.

Scotland were particularly guilty of failing to hammer home the final nails and question marks still hang over the red rose's ideal backline blend. It is fine ending matches well – and infinitely better than losing them late on – but their commendable winning sequence this year has so far included just a single victory over top-drawer opposition, a narrow win over France in earlier in the year.

Future Prospects

Thus the weight of this next weekend. Reading between the lines it would look like various alterations are likely in the starting lineup, with experienced individuals being reinstated to the lineup. In the pack, in the same way, familiar faces should be included from the beginning.

Yet everything is relative, in sport as in existence. Between now and the next global tournament the {rest