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A number of triumphs deliver dual importance in the lesson they broadcast. Amid the flood of weekend rugby Tests, it was Saturday night's result in the French capital that will resonate longest across the rugby world. Not merely the end result, but the way the approach of success. To claim that the Springboks overturned a number of comfortable theories would be an modest description of the calendar.

Unexpected Turnaround

Forget about the theory, for example, that France would make amends for the injustice of their World Cup elimination. That entering the last period with a slight advantage and an numerical superiority would lead to inevitable glory. Even in the absence of their talisman Antoine Dupont, they still had sufficient strategies to keep the big beasts safely at bay.

On the contrary, it was a case of assuming victory before time. Initially trailing by four points, the 14-man Boks ended up scoring 19 unanswered points, strengthening their status as a squad who increasingly deliver their finest rugby for the most demanding circumstances. If beating New Zealand 43-10 in September was a declaration, now came conclusive proof that the world’s No 1 side are developing an greater resilience.

Set-Piece Superiority

In fact, Erasmus's champion Bok forwards are starting to make all other teams look laissez-faire by juxtaposition. The Scottish and English sides both had their promising spells over the recent fixtures but lacked entirely the same powerful carriers that thoroughly overwhelmed the French pack to ruins in the closing period. Some promising young home nation players are developing but, by the end, Saturday night was men against boys.

Perhaps most impressive was the mental strength driving it all. Missing the second-rower – shown a red card in the first half for a high tackle of the French full-back – the Boks could might well have faltered. Instead they just circled the wagons and set about pulling the disheartened French side to what a retired hooker described as “the hurt locker.”

Guidance and Example

Following the match, having been carried around the Stade de France on the powerful backs of Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman to honor his century of appearances, the team leader, the flanker, repeatedly emphasized how many of his squad have been needed to rise above off-field adversity and how he wished his side would in the same way continue to motivate others.

The perceptive David Flatman also made an astute comment on sports media, stating that the coach's achievements increasingly make him the parallel figure of Sir Alex Ferguson. Should the Springboks do go on to win a third successive World Cup there will be absolute certainty. In case they fail to achieve it, the intelligent way in which the mentor has rejuvenated a possibly veteran roster has been an object lesson to other teams.

New Generation

Consider his emerging number 10 the rising star who skipped over for the late try that effectively shattered the French windows. Or Grant Williams, a second backline player with blistering pace and an keener vision for space. Naturally it is an advantage to play behind a gargantuan pack, with the powerful center riding shotgun, but the steady transformation of the South African team from physically imposing units into a squad who can also display finesse and strike decisively is hugely impressive.

Home Side's Moments

This is not to imply that the home side were totally outclassed, notwithstanding their weak ending. Damian Penaud’s later touchdown in the wing area was a prime instance. The set-piece strength that tied in the South African pack, the superb distribution from Ramos and the winger's clinical finish into the advertising hoardings all displayed the hallmarks of a side with considerable ability, even in the absence of their captain.

But even that turned out to be not enough, which really is a sobering thought for everybody else. It would be impossible, for example, that the visitors could have gone 17-0 down to the world champions and fought back in the way they did versus New Zealand. Notwithstanding the English team's late resurgence, there is a distance to travel before the national side can be confident of facing Erasmus’s green-clad giants with all at stake.

Northern Hemisphere Challenges

Beating an improving Fiji was challenging on the weekend although the upcoming showdown against the New Zealand will be the contest that truly shapes their end-of-year series. The visitors are not invincible, particularly without Jordie Barrett in their center, but when it comes to capitalizing on opportunities they remain a level above most the home unions.

The Scottish team were particularly guilty of not finishing off the decisive blows and question marks still apply to the English side's ideal backline blend. It is acceptable performing in the final quarter – and infinitely better than losing them late on – but their commendable undefeated streak this year has so far featured only one win over world-class sides, a close result over France in the winter.

Future Prospects

Hence the significance of this coming Saturday. Analyzing the situation it would appear several changes are anticipated in the starting lineup, with established stars returning to the side. Up front, in the same way, regular starters should be included from the start.

However everything is relative, in competition as in existence. From now until the upcoming world championship the {rest