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Certain wins send double importance in the lesson they broadcast. Within the flood of weekend Test matches, it was the Saturday evening outcome in the French capital that will linger most profoundly across the rugby world. Not only the final score, but also the manner of achievement. To suggest that the Springboks overturned a number of widely-held beliefs would be an understatement of the rugby year.

Shifting Momentum

So much for the idea, for instance, that France would avenge the disappointment of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. Assuming that going into the final quarter with a slight advantage and an extra man would result in inevitable glory. That even without their star man their scrum-half, they still had sufficient tranquiliser darts to contain the strong rivals under control.

As it turned out, it was a case of counting their poulets too early. Having been trailing by four points, the reduced Springboks ended up registering 19 consecutive points, reinforcing their reputation as a team who more and more deliver their finest rugby for the most demanding scenarios. If beating New Zealand 43-10 in the last quarter was a message, now came definitive evidence that the top-ranked team are cultivating an more robust mentality.

Pack Power

In fact, Rassie Erasmus’s experienced front eight are increasingly make opposing sides look less intense by comparison. The Scottish and English sides both had their moments over the weekend but did not have the same dominant forwards that systematically dismantled the French pack to rubble in the final thirty minutes. Some promising young France's pack members are coming through but, by the end, Saturday night was a mismatch in experience.

Even more notable was the mental strength supporting it all. In the absence of their lock forward – issued a 38th-minute straight red for a dangerous contact of Thomas Ramos – the Boks could might well have faltered. As it happened they simply circled the wagons and began dragging the demoralized home team to what an ex-France player 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 century of appearances, the South African skipper, Siya Kolisi, repeatedly highlighted how a significant number of his team have been obliged to conquer life difficulties and how he wished his team would similarly continue to inspire others.

The ever-sage an analyst also made an perceptive comment on broadcast, proposing that Erasmus’s record progressively make him the parallel figure of the Manchester United great. In the event that the world champions do go on to secure another global trophy there will be no doubt whatsoever. Even if they fail to achieve it, the smart way in which Erasmus has refreshed a possibly veteran team has been an masterclass to other teams.

Emerging Talent

Consider his 23-year-old fly-half the rising star who darted through for the late try that decisively broke the French windows. Or the scrum-half, another backline player with lightning acceleration and an even sharper vision for space. Naturally it is an advantage to operate behind a dominant set of forwards, with the inside back providing support, but the steady transformation of the Springboks from intimidating giants into a team who can also move with agility and strike decisively is remarkable.

French Flashes

This is not to imply that the French team were completely dominated, notwithstanding their fading performance. The wing's additional score in the wing area was a prime instance. The forward dominance that engaged the South African pack, the superb distribution from Ramos and the winger's clinical finish into the sideline boards all exhibited the hallmarks of a squad with significant talent, even in the absence of Dupont.

But even that in the end was not enough, which truly represents a humbling reality for competing teams. It would be impossible, for instance, that the visitors could have fallen behind by 17 points to the world champions and fought back in the way they did in their fixture. And for all the English team's strong finish, there is a distance to travel before the England team can be certain of competing with the South African powerhouses with all at stake.

Home Nations' Tests

Defeating an improving Fiji proved tricky enough on match day although the upcoming showdown against the New Zealand will be the fixture that accurately reflects their end-of-year series. The All Blacks are certainly vulnerable, notably absent their key midfielder in their midfield, but when it comes to capitalizing on opportunities they remain a level above most the northern hemisphere teams.

The Thistles were particularly guilty of not finishing off the final nails and question marks still apply to England’s optimal back division. It is acceptable performing in the final quarter – and infinitely better than losing them late on – but their admirable winning sequence this year has so far shown just one success over top-drawer opposition, a one-point home victory over France in the winter.

Looking Ahead

Hence the weight of this coming Saturday. Reading between the lines it would seem a number of adjustments are likely in the matchday squad, with established stars coming back to the team. In the pack, similarly, first-choice players should all be back from the outset.

But perspective matters, in competition as in life. In the lead-up to the next global tournament the {rest