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Certain wins carry dual importance in the lesson they communicate. Among the flurry of weekend rugby Tests, it was Saturday night's score in Paris that will resonate longest across the rugby world. Not only the end result, but also the style of achievement. To say that South Africa demolished a number of established assumptions would be an understatement of the calendar.

Unexpected Turnaround

Discard the theory, for instance, that France would rectify the injustice of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. The belief that entering the final quarter with a slight advantage and an additional player would result in assumed success. Even in the absence of their star man their scrum-half, they still had ample strategies to restrain the powerful opponents safely at bay.

As it turned out, it was a case of celebrating too soon prematurely. Initially 17-13 down, the 14-man Boks concluded with racking up 19 points without reply, strengthening their reputation as a squad who increasingly reserve their top performance for the toughest scenarios. If defeating the All Blacks by a large margin in the last quarter was a message, now came conclusive proof that the world’s No 1 side are developing an greater resilience.

Forward Dominance

Actually, Rassie Erasmus’s experienced front eight are increasingly make everyone else look less committed by comparison. The Scottish and English sides experienced their promising spells over the two-day period but did not have the same powerful carriers that systematically dismantled the French pack to landfill in the last half-hour. Some promising young home nation players are coming through but, by the end, the match was hommes contre garçons.

Perhaps most impressive was the inner fortitude supporting it all. Without the second-rower – given a red card in the first half for a high tackle of the opposition kicker – the Springboks could might well have become disorganized. As it happened they just circled the wagons and set about taking the deflated home team to what a retired hooker referred to as “the hurt locker.”

Guidance and Example

Post-game, having been hoisted around the Parisian stadium on the immense frames of the lock pairing to celebrate his 100th cap, the South African skipper, the inspirational figure, yet again highlighted how several of his squad have been obliged to rise above life difficulties and how he wished his squad would similarly continue to motivate others.

The perceptive David Flatman also made an perceptive point on sports media, stating that the coach's achievements more and more make him the rugby coaching equivalent of the legendary football manager. Should the Springboks succeed in claim a third straight world title there will be complete assurance. Even if they fail to achieve it, the smart way in which Erasmus has rejuvenated a experienced squad has been an exemplary model to everyone.

Young Stars

Consider his young playmaker Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who sprinted past for the decisive touchdown that properly blew open the home defense. And also the scrum-half, a second playmaker with blistering pace and an even sharper ability to spot openings. Undoubtedly it is beneficial to have the support of a massive forward unit, with the inside back adding physicality, but the steady transformation of the Springboks from scowling heavyweights into a squad who can also float like butterflies and strike decisively is remarkable.

Glimpses of French Quality

Which is not to say that the French team were totally outclassed, in spite of their fading performance. Damian Penaud’s second try in the far side was a good illustration. The power up front that occupied the Bok forwards, the excellent wide ball from the playmaker and the winger's clinical finish into the perimeter signage all displayed the characteristics of a team with significant talent, without Dupont.

Yet that turned out to be insufficient, which is a daunting prospect for all other nations. There is no way, for example, that the Scottish side could have trailed heavily to the Springboks and mounted a comeback in the way they did against the All Blacks. Notwithstanding the red rose's strong finish, there remains a journey ahead before Steve Borthwick’s squad can be confident of standing up to the South African powerhouses with everything on the line.

Home Nations' Tests

Defeating an developing Fijian side posed difficulties on the weekend although the next encounter against the All Blacks will be the fixture that truly shapes their November Tests. The All Blacks are definitely still beatable, particularly without Jordie Barrett in their midfield, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they remain a cut above almost all the northern hemisphere teams.

The Thistles were particularly guilty of not finishing off the decisive blows and question marks still surround England’s optimal back division. It is all very well ending matches well – and much preferable than fading in the closing stages – but their commendable undefeated streak this year has so far featured only one win over top-drawer opposition, a one-point home victory over Les Bleus in February.

Looking Ahead

Thus the significance of this next weekend. Reading between the lines it would seem several changes are expected in the matchday squad, with key players returning to the side. Up front, similarly, first-choice players should be included from the outset.

Yet everything is relative, in rugby as in life. In the lead-up to the next global tournament the {rest