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A number of triumphs deliver double weight in the lesson they communicate. Amid the flurry of weekend international rugby fixtures, it was Saturday night's score in the French capital that will echo most enduringly across both hemispheres. Not only the final score, but the way the manner of victory. To suggest that South Africa overturned several established assumptions would be an oversimplification of the rugby year.

Surprising Comeback

So much for the idea, for instance, that France would make amends for the injustice of their World Cup elimination. That entering the final quarter with a slight advantage and an extra man would result in assumed success. Despite missing their star man their captain, they still had more than enough tranquiliser darts to restrain the big beasts safely at bay.

On the contrary, it was a case of counting their poulets prematurely. Having been behind on the scoreboard, the 14-man Boks concluded with registering 19 consecutive points, reinforcing their reputation as a team who increasingly save their best for the most demanding situations. While beating New Zealand 43-10 in the last quarter was a message, here was conclusive proof that the top-ranked team are developing an more robust mentality.

Pack Power

Actually, Rassie Erasmus’s title-winning pack are starting to make opposing sides look laissez-faire by juxtaposition. Both northern hemisphere teams both had their periods of promise over the recent fixtures but did not have the same dominant forwards that systematically dismantled France to ruins in the final thirty minutes. Some promising young France's pack members are developing but, by the final whistle, the encounter was men against boys.

What was perhaps even more striking was the mental strength supporting it all. Without their lock forward – shown a 38th-minute straight red for a high tackle of the opposition kicker – the Springboks could potentially become disorganized. On the contrary they merely circled the wagons and set about pulling the deflated French side to what a retired hooker called “extreme physical pressure.”

Leadership and Inspiration

Following the match, having been borne aloft around the venue on the immense frames of Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman to mark his hundredth Test, the team leader, the inspirational figure, once again emphasized how a significant number of his team have been needed to conquer personal challenges and how he wished his squad would in the same way continue to encourage people.

The insightful a commentator also made an astute comment on sports media, proposing that Erasmus’s record more and more make him the parallel figure of the legendary football manager. If South Africa manage to win a third successive World Cup there will be absolute certainty. Even if they fail to achieve it, the clever way in which the mentor has refreshed a potentially ageing roster has been an object lesson to all.

New Generation

Take for example his 23-year-old fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who darted through for the closing score that effectively shattered the French windows. Additionally Grant Williams, another half-back with blistering pace and an even sharper vision for space. Of course it is an advantage to play behind a dominant set of forwards, with the powerful center adding physicality, but the steady transformation of the Springboks from scowling heavyweights into a side who can also move with agility and sting like bees is hugely impressive.

French Flashes

This is not to imply that the home side were completely dominated, despite their limp finish. The wing's later touchdown in the right corner was a clear example. The power up front that tied in the visiting eight, the excellent wide ball from Ramos and the try-scorer's execution into the perimeter signage all exhibited the hallmarks of a team with considerable ability, even in the absence of their star man.

But even that in the end was not enough, which truly represents a humbling reality for all other nations. It would be impossible, for instance, that Scotland could have gone 17-0 down to the Springboks and mounted a comeback in the way they did against the All Blacks. Notwithstanding England’s late resurgence, there remains a gap to close before the national side can be certain of competing with Erasmus’s green-clad giants with high stakes.

Home Nations' Tests

Overcoming an improving Fiji proved tricky enough on Saturday although the forthcoming clash against the the Kiwis will be the match that properly defines their November Tests. The All Blacks are certainly vulnerable, particularly without their key midfielder in their center, but when it comes to taking their chances they are still a step ahead the majority of the home unions.

The Thistles were especially culpable of failing to hammer home the decisive blows and doubts still hang over England’s optimal back division. It is fine finishing games strongly – and infinitely better than losing them late on – but their notable winning sequence this year has so far shown just one success over top-drawer opposition, a one-point home victory over the French in February.

Looking Ahead

Thus the significance of this next weekend. Reading between the lines it would appear various alterations are likely in the starting lineup, with experienced individuals being reinstated to the lineup. In the pack, similarly, regular starters should return from the beginning.

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