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Certain wins deliver twofold weight in the lesson they broadcast. Amid the barrage of weekend Test matches, it was the Saturday evening score in the French capital that will resonate most enduringly across both hemispheres. Not only the final score, but the way the manner of victory. To say that South Africa demolished several established beliefs would be an oversimplification of the calendar.

Surprising Comeback

Discard the idea, for example, that France would rectify the injustice of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. Assuming that going into the last period with a slight advantage and an numerical superiority would lead to certain victory. That even without their star man Antoine Dupont, they still had sufficient tranquiliser darts to contain the strong rivals under control.

As it turned out, it was a case of celebrating too soon before time. After being behind on the scoreboard, the South African side with a player sent off ended up scoring 19 unanswered points, strengthening their reputation as a squad who consistently deliver their finest rugby for the toughest situations. While beating New Zealand 43-10 in earlier this year was a statement, now came clear demonstration that the leading international squad are building an more robust mentality.

Forward Dominance

Actually, Erasmus's title-winning pack are beginning to make opposing sides look laissez-faire by comparison. The Scottish and English sides experienced their moments over the two-day period but did not have the same earthmovers that systematically dismantled France to ruins in the closing period. A number of talented young French forwards are emerging but, by the end, the encounter was hommes contre garçons.

What was perhaps even more striking was the psychological resilience driving it all. Without the second-rower – shown a red card in the first half for a high tackle of the opposition kicker – the Boks could potentially become disorganized. As it happened they merely united and set about pulling the disheartened home team to what a retired hooker called “a place of suffering.”

Guidance and Example

Afterwards, having been hoisted around the venue on the gigantic shoulders of the lock pairing to honor his hundredth Test, the South African skipper, the inspirational figure, once again stressed how many of his team have been required to overcome life difficulties and how he hoped his team would similarly continue to motivate others.

The perceptive David Flatman also made an astute observation on television, suggesting that the coach's achievements increasingly make him the parallel figure of Sir Alex Ferguson. If South Africa manage to win a third successive World Cup there will be absolute certainty. Even if they fall short, the intelligent way in which Erasmus has revitalized a possibly veteran roster has been an object lesson to everyone.

Young Stars

Take for example his 23-year-old fly-half the rising star who darted through for the decisive touchdown that properly blew open the French windows. Additionally another half-back, a further half-back with lightning acceleration and an even sharper eye for a gap. Naturally it helps to operate behind a dominant set of forwards, with the powerful center adding physicality, but the steady transformation of the Springboks from intimidating giants into a side who can also move with agility and strike decisively is remarkable.

French Flashes

However, it should not be thought that the French team were totally outclassed, despite their limp finish. Damian Penaud’s additional score in the right corner was a clear example. The forward dominance that engaged the South African pack, the glorious long pass from the playmaker and the try-scorer's execution into the perimeter signage all demonstrated the characteristics of a squad with considerable ability, even in the absence of their captain.

However, that in the end was inadequate, which truly represents a daunting prospect for all other nations. It would be impossible, for instance, that the Scottish side could have trailed heavily to the world champions and mounted a comeback in the way they did in their fixture. Notwithstanding the red rose's last-quarter improvement, there still exists a distance to travel before the England team can be assured of facing Erasmus’s green-clad giants with all at stake.

European Prospects

Overcoming an developing Fijian side proved tricky enough on match day although the next encounter against the New Zealand will be the match that accurately reflects 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 continue to be a step ahead the majority of the European sides.

The Thistles were notably at fault of not finishing off the killing points and uncertainties still apply to the English side's perfect backline combination. It is all very well finishing games strongly – and infinitely better than losing them late on – but their admirable undefeated streak this year has so far shown just one success over world-class sides, a close result over the French in earlier in the year.

Future Prospects

Hence the importance of this coming Saturday. Analyzing the situation it would appear various alterations are likely in the team selection, with key players returning to the lineup. Among the forwards, in the same way, familiar faces should all be back from the outset.

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