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Some victories carry double importance in the lesson they convey. Amid the flurry of weekend international rugby fixtures, it was the Saturday evening outcome in the French capital that will resonate most enduringly across the rugby world. Not only the final score, but equally the approach of achievement. To suggest that South Africa demolished various established assumptions would be an oversimplification of the season.

Surprising Comeback

So much for the idea, for example, that the French team would make amends for the disappointment of their World Cup last-eight loss. Assuming that going into the closing stages with a narrow lead and an numerical superiority would result in assumed success. Even in the absence of their star man Antoine Dupont, they still had sufficient strategies to keep the powerful opponents at a distance.

As it turned out, it was a case of counting their poulets too early. Having been 17-13 down, the 14-man Boks concluded with racking up 19 points without reply, reinforcing their reputation as a team who more and more save their best for the toughest circumstances. While defeating the All Blacks by a large margin in earlier this year was a declaration, here was conclusive proof that the top-ranked team are building an greater resilience.

Pack Power

If anything, Erasmus's champion Bok forwards are increasingly make opposing sides look less intense by juxtaposition. The Scottish and English sides experienced their moments over the two-day period but possessed nothing like the same dominant forwards that thoroughly overwhelmed France to ruins in the final thirty minutes. Some promising young home nation players are coming through but, by the conclusion, the encounter was hommes contre garçons.

What was perhaps even more striking was the mental strength driving it all. Without the second-rower – given a red card in the first half for a high tackle of the French full-back – the South Africans could might well have become disorganized. Instead they just united and set about pulling the deflated home team to what a retired hooker called “extreme physical pressure.”

Captaincy and Motivation

Afterwards, having been hoisted around the venue on the gigantic shoulders of Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman to mark his 100th cap, the South African skipper, the inspirational figure, repeatedly highlighted how a significant number of his players have been obliged to rise above life difficulties and how he wished his team would similarly continue to inspire people.

The insightful an analyst also made an perceptive point on television, proposing that his results more and more make him the parallel figure of the legendary football manager. Should the Springboks manage to win a third successive World Cup there will be absolute certainty. Even if they fall short, the clever way in which Erasmus has revitalized a potentially ageing squad has been an masterclass to all.

New Generation

Look no further than his 23-year-old fly-half the rising star who skipped over for the closing score that properly blew open the French windows. Additionally another half-back, a second playmaker with blistering pace and an even sharper ability to spot openings. Of course it helps to have the support of a gargantuan pack, with the powerful center riding shotgun, but the ongoing metamorphosis of the Springboks from physically imposing units into a squad who can also move with agility and deliver telling blows is extraordinary.

French Flashes

However, it should not be thought that France were totally outclassed, in spite of their fading performance. The wing's later touchdown in the right corner was a prime instance. The set-piece strength that engaged the South African pack, the superb distribution from the full-back and the winger's clinical finish into the advertising hoardings all demonstrated the characteristics of a team with considerable ability, without their captain.

Yet that turned out to be insufficient, which is a daunting prospect for competing teams. It is inconceivable, for instance, that the visitors could have trailed heavily to South Africa and come galloping back in the way they did against the All Blacks. Despite the red rose's late resurgence, there is a distance to travel before Steve Borthwick’s squad can be certain of standing up to the South African powerhouses with high stakes.

Home Nations' Tests

Overcoming an improving Fiji proved tricky enough on match day although the forthcoming clash against the All Blacks will be the fixture that accurately reflects their autumn. The visitors are certainly vulnerable, particularly without an influential back in their midfield, but when it comes to capitalizing on opportunities they are still a cut above the majority of the home unions.

Scotland were especially culpable of not finishing off the final nails and question marks still apply to the English side's ideal backline blend. It is acceptable performing in the final quarter – and far superior than losing them late on – but their admirable winning sequence this year has so far featured only one win over world-class sides, a one-point home victory over France in the winter.

Future Prospects

Thus the importance of this upround. Reading between the lines it would seem a number of adjustments are expected in the starting lineup, with established stars being reinstated to the team. In the pack, similarly, first-choice players should all be back from the outset.

But perspective matters, in sport as in existence. In the lead-up to the upcoming world championship the {rest