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A number of triumphs send dual significance in the lesson they communicate. Amid the flood of weekend rugby Tests, it was the Saturday evening result in the French capital that will echo most profoundly across the globe. Not merely the conclusion, but also the approach of victory. To say that South Africa overturned various widely-held assumptions would be an oversimplification of the rugby year.

Shifting Momentum

Discard the theory, for instance, that the French team would rectify the injustice of their World Cup elimination. The belief that entering the closing stages with a small margin and an additional player would result in certain victory. Despite missing their key player Antoine Dupont, they still had ample resources to restrain the strong rivals safely at bay.

On the contrary, it was a case of assuming victory before time. Initially trailing by four points, the South African side with a player sent off concluded with racking up 19 points without reply, reinforcing their reputation as a side who more and more deliver their finest rugby for the most challenging circumstances. If defeating the All Blacks by a large margin in the last quarter was a statement, this was conclusive proof that the leading international squad are building an even thicker skin.

Pack Power

If anything, the coach's champion Bok forwards are increasingly make everyone else look laissez-faire by comparison. Scotland and England both had their moments over the weekend but did not have the same dominant forwards that thoroughly overwhelmed France to landfill in the final thirty minutes. A number of talented young France's pack members are emerging but, by the end, the match was men against boys.

Perhaps most impressive was the psychological resilience driving it all. Without the second-rower – issued a red card in the first half for a dangerous contact of the opposition kicker – the South Africans could easily have faltered. Instead they merely circled the wagons and began taking the deflated boys in blue to what a retired hooker referred to as “extreme physical pressure.”

Leadership and Inspiration

Post-game, having been carried around the venue on the powerful backs of two key forwards to honor his hundredth Test, the Springbok captain, the flanker, repeatedly highlighted how a significant number of his team have been obliged to rise above off-field adversity and how he aspired his squad would likewise continue to encourage people.

The perceptive a commentator also made an astute observation on television, stating that the coach's achievements increasingly make him the parallel figure of Sir Alex Ferguson. Should the Springboks manage to secure another global trophy there will be complete assurance. Even if they fall short, the smart way in which Erasmus has refreshed a experienced roster has been an object lesson to other teams.

Emerging Talent

Look no further than his emerging number 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who sprinted past for the decisive touchdown that properly blew open the French windows. Additionally Grant Williams, a second playmaker with blistering pace and an even sharper vision for space. Undoubtedly it helps to play behind a massive forward unit, with the inside back providing support, but the continuing evolution of the South African team from intimidating giants into a squad who can also float like butterflies and sting like bees is hugely impressive.

Glimpses of French Quality

This is not to imply that the home side were completely dominated, in spite of their limp finish. Their winger's additional score in the far side was a clear example. The forward dominance that tied in the visiting eight, the glorious long pass from Ramos and the winger's clinical finish into the advertising hoardings all demonstrated the traits of a side with significant talent, despite missing Dupont.

However, that turned out to be not enough, which is a daunting prospect for all other nations. It would be impossible, for instance, that Scotland could have trailed heavily to South Africa and mounted a comeback in the way they did against the All Blacks. Notwithstanding the English team's last-quarter improvement, there remains a journey ahead before the England team can be confident of facing the world's top team with all at stake.

Northern Hemisphere Challenges

Overcoming an Pacific Island team was challenging on the weekend although the next encounter against the the Kiwis will be the fixture that truly shapes their autumn. The All Blacks are certainly vulnerable, especially missing an influential back in their center, but when it comes to capitalizing on opportunities they continue to be a step ahead the majority of the northern hemisphere teams.

Scotland were notably at fault of failing to hammer home the final nails and question marks still apply to England’s ideal backline blend. It is all very well finishing games strongly – and far superior than losing them late on – but their commendable winning sequence this year has so far shown just one success over world-class sides, a narrow win over the French in the winter.

Next Steps

Therefore the importance of this coming Saturday. Analyzing the situation it would seem a number of adjustments are likely in the starting lineup, with established stars being reinstated to the lineup. In the pack, in the same way, first-choice players should be included from the beginning.

However perspective matters, in competition as in reality. Between now and the upcoming world championship the {rest