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Certain wins send twofold weight in the statement they communicate. Amid the flood of weekend international rugby fixtures, it was Saturday night's score in the French capital that will linger most profoundly across the globe. Not only the end result, but equally the approach of victory. To claim that the Springboks overturned a number of comfortable beliefs would be an oversimplification of the rugby year.

Surprising Comeback

Forget about the notion, for example, that the French team would make amends for the injustice of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. Assuming that going into the closing stages with a slight advantage and an additional player would translate into inevitable glory. Despite missing their star man their captain, they still had sufficient resources to restrain the big beasts safely at bay.

As it turned out, it was a case of counting their poulets before time. Initially behind on the scoreboard, the reduced Springboks finished by scoring 19 unanswered points, reinforcing their status as a squad who consistently reserve their top performance for the most demanding situations. If beating New Zealand 43-10 in September was a message, now came clear demonstration that the world’s No 1 side are building an greater resilience.

Forward Dominance

If anything, Rassie Erasmus’s experienced front eight are starting to make all other teams look less committed by contrast. Both northern hemisphere teams both had their promising spells over the recent fixtures but possessed nothing like the same dominant forwards that thoroughly overwhelmed the home side to landfill in the closing period. Some promising young home nation players are emerging but, by the final whistle, the match was hommes contre garçons.

Even more notable was the inner fortitude driving it all. In the absence of Lood de Jager – shown a 38th-minute straight red for a shoulder to the head of the French full-back – the Springboks could might well have become disorganized. As it happened they merely united and set about pulling the disheartened French side to what an ex-France player referred to as “the hurt locker.”

Leadership and Inspiration

Following the match, having been carried around the venue on the gigantic shoulders of Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman to celebrate his hundredth Test, the South African skipper, the inspirational figure, yet again stressed how many of his team have been required to conquer life difficulties and how he aspired his team would in the same way continue to encourage people.

The insightful David Flatman also made an shrewd observation on broadcast, stating that his results more and more make him the parallel figure of the Manchester United great. If South Africa do go on to secure another global trophy there will be no doubt whatsoever. Even if they come up short, the intelligent way in which Erasmus has revitalized a experienced squad has been an masterclass to everyone.

Emerging Talent

Look no further than his 23-year-old fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who sprinted past for the decisive touchdown that properly blew open the French windows. Or the scrum-half, a further playmaker with blistering pace and an keener vision for space. Of course it is beneficial to have the support of a gargantuan pack, with the inside back providing support, but the continuing evolution of the Boks from scowling heavyweights into a side who can also move with agility and sting like bees is remarkable.

French Flashes

This is not to imply that the home side were utterly overwhelmed, notwithstanding their weak ending. The wing's later touchdown in the wing area was a good illustration. The set-piece strength that occupied the visiting eight, the excellent wide ball from the full-back and the winger's clinical finish into the perimeter signage all exhibited the hallmarks of a side with notable skill, even in the absence of their star man.

Yet that in the end was not enough, which really is a sobering thought for all other nations. It is inconceivable, for example, that the visitors could have gone 17-0 down to the Springboks and come galloping back in the way they did in their fixture. And for all the English team's strong finish, there is a gap to close before the national side can be certain of facing Erasmus’s green-clad giants with high stakes.

European Prospects

Overcoming an developing Fijian side was challenging on the weekend although the upcoming showdown against the All Blacks will be the fixture that truly shapes their end-of-year series. The All Blacks are definitely still beatable, particularly without Jordie Barrett in their midfield, but when it comes to taking their chances they are still a step ahead most the northern hemisphere teams.

Scotland were particularly guilty of missing the chance to secure the killing points and doubts still hang over the English side's ideal backline blend. It is fine finishing games strongly – and far superior than succumbing at the death – but their notable nine-match unbeaten run this year has so far shown just one success over top-drawer opposition, a close result over France in earlier in the year.

Next Steps

Thus the weight of this upround. Reading between the lines it would appear a number of adjustments are expected in the team selection, with key players returning to the team. Among the forwards, similarly, first-choice players should return from the beginning.

Yet context is key, in rugby as in life. From now until the next global tournament the {rest