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Some victories carry double significance in the lesson they broadcast. Amid the flood of weekend Test matches, it was the Saturday evening result in Paris that will linger most enduringly across the globe. Not just the final score, but also the style of success. To claim that South Africa overturned a number of comfortable theories would be an oversimplification of the rugby year.

Unexpected Turnaround

So much for the idea, for example, that France would make amends for the injustice of their World Cup last-eight loss. The belief that entering the last period with a slight advantage and an numerical superiority would result in inevitable glory. Despite missing their star man their scrum-half, they still had ample resources to restrain the powerful opponents safely at bay.

Instead, it was a case of celebrating too soon prematurely. Having been trailing by four points, the 14-man Boks ended up scoring 19 unanswered points, strengthening their reputation as a side who increasingly deliver their finest rugby for the most challenging circumstances. If defeating the All Blacks by a large margin in earlier this year was a statement, here was definitive evidence that the top-ranked team are developing an more robust mentality.

Pack Power

If anything, the coach's champion Bok forwards are starting to make opposing sides look less intense by contrast. Scotland and England both had their periods of promise over the weekend but possessed nothing like the same dominant forwards that effectively reduced the French pack to rubble in the last half-hour. Some promising young France's pack members are emerging but, by the conclusion, Saturday night was a mismatch in experience.

Perhaps most impressive was the psychological resilience supporting it all. Without their lock forward – given a dismissal before halftime for a high tackle of the opposition kicker – the Boks could might well have become disorganized. On the contrary they merely regrouped and proceeded to taking the demoralized boys in blue to what a retired hooker called “the hurt locker.”

Captaincy and Motivation

Afterwards, having been carried around the Parisian stadium on the powerful backs of the lock pairing to celebrate his hundredth Test, the Springbok captain, the flanker, once again stressed how a significant number of his team have been required to rise above life difficulties and how he wished his team would likewise continue to inspire people.

The perceptive an analyst also made an astute point on broadcast, proposing that Erasmus’s record progressively make him the parallel figure of the legendary football manager. In the event that the world champions manage to secure another global trophy there will be complete assurance. Even if they fail to achieve it, the smart way in which the coach has refreshed a experienced squad has been an masterclass to other teams.

New Generation

Look no further than his 23-year-old fly-half the newcomer who darted through for the decisive touchdown that properly blew open the home defense. Or another half-back, a further half-back with lightning acceleration and an keener ability to spot openings. Of course it is an advantage to operate behind a gargantuan pack, with the inside back adding physicality, but the continuing evolution of the Springboks from scowling heavyweights into a squad who can also float like butterflies and strike decisively is remarkable.

French Flashes

Which is not to say that France were utterly overwhelmed, in spite of their weak ending. The wing's second try in the far side was a clear example. The power up front that engaged the visiting eight, the glorious long pass from the playmaker and Penaud’s finishing dive into the perimeter signage all exhibited the characteristics of a side with considerable ability, despite missing their star man.

Yet that in the end was not enough, which is a humbling reality for all other nations. There is no way, for example, that the visitors could have trailed heavily to the Springboks and fought back in the way they did in their fixture. Despite the English team's strong finish, there still exists a distance to travel before Steve Borthwick’s squad can be certain of competing with the world's top team with all at stake.

Home Nations' Tests

Beating an developing Fijian side posed difficulties on Saturday although the upcoming showdown against the the Kiwis will be the contest that accurately reflects their November Tests. The visitors are not invincible, particularly without their key midfielder in their midfield, but when it comes to capitalizing on opportunities they continue to be a level above the majority of the northern hemisphere teams.

Scotland were notably at fault of missing the chance to secure the final nails and uncertainties still surround the English side's ideal backline blend. It is acceptable finishing games strongly – and infinitely better than losing them late on – but their notable nine-match unbeaten run this year has so far shown just one success over elite-level teams, a close result over France in February.

Future Prospects

Hence the importance of this coming Saturday. Analyzing the situation it would seem a number of adjustments are anticipated in the matchday squad, with experienced individuals returning to the side. Up front, in the same way, first-choice players should be included from the start.

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