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Certain wins carry double importance in the lesson they convey. Amid the flood of weekend rugby Tests, it was the Saturday evening score in the French capital that will resonate most profoundly across the rugby world. Not merely the final score, but the way the approach of achievement. To claim that South Africa shattered various comfortable beliefs would be an modest description of the rugby year.

Unexpected Turnaround

Discard the theory, for example, that the French team would make amends for the unfairness of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. That entering the last period with a slight advantage and an numerical superiority would lead to assumed success. Even in the absence of their key player their captain, they still had ample strategies to keep the strong rivals safely at bay.

Instead, it was a case of assuming victory before time. After being behind on the scoreboard, the South African side with a player sent off ended up registering 19 consecutive points, strengthening their reputation as a side who more and more save their best for the most demanding situations. If overpowering New Zealand in Wellington in the last quarter was a message, here was conclusive proof that the top-ranked team are developing an greater resilience.

Pack Power

In fact, Erasmus's champion Bok forwards are increasingly make all other teams look less committed by contrast. Both northern hemisphere teams both had their periods of promise over the recent fixtures but lacked entirely the same dominant forwards that systematically dismantled France to ruins in the last half-hour. Some promising young France's pack members are developing but, by the final whistle, the match was men against boys.

What was perhaps even more striking was the mental strength driving it all. In the absence of their lock forward – issued a red card in the first half for a high tackle of Thomas Ramos – the Springboks could might well have become disorganized. Instead they just circled the wagons and began taking the disheartened French side to what one former French international called “the hurt locker.”

Guidance and Example

Following the match, having been borne aloft around the Parisian stadium on the gigantic shoulders of Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman to mark his century of appearances, the South African skipper, the inspirational figure, repeatedly highlighted how many of his players have been obliged to rise above life difficulties and how he aspired his team would in the same way continue to inspire fans.

The perceptive a commentator also made an perceptive comment on sports media, proposing that the coach's achievements progressively make him the rugby's version of the Manchester United great. Should the Springboks succeed in win a third successive World Cup there will be complete assurance. Should they fail to achieve it, the intelligent way in which the coach has revitalized a potentially ageing roster has been an masterclass to everyone.

New Generation

Take for example his 23-year-old fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who skipped over for the decisive touchdown that decisively broke the opposition line. And also another half-back, another backline player with lightning acceleration and an even sharper vision for space. Of course it is beneficial to have the support of a gargantuan pack, with André Esterhuizen adding physicality, but the ongoing metamorphosis of the Springboks from scowling heavyweights into a side who can also move with agility and deliver telling blows is hugely impressive.

Glimpses of French Quality

This is not to imply that France were totally outclassed, in spite of their weak ending. Their winger's additional score in the far side was a good illustration. The power up front that tied in the visiting eight, the superb distribution from the playmaker and the try-scorer's execution into the advertising hoardings all exhibited the characteristics of a team with notable skill, despite missing Dupont.

However, that in the end was inadequate, which is a daunting prospect for everybody else. It is inconceivable, for example, that the Scottish side could have trailed heavily to South Africa and mounted a comeback in the way they did versus New Zealand. Despite England’s late resurgence, there is a gap to close before the national side can be assured of competing with the world's top team with everything on the line.

Northern Hemisphere Challenges

Beating an improving Fiji proved tricky enough on the weekend although the forthcoming clash against the New Zealand will be the match that truly shapes their end-of-year series. The All Blacks are definitely still beatable, particularly without their key midfielder in their midfield, but when it comes to capitalizing on opportunities they are still a level above almost all the home unions.

Scotland were particularly guilty of failing to hammer home the killing points and doubts still apply to England’s perfect backline combination. It is acceptable performing in the final quarter – and far superior than fading in the closing stages – but their admirable winning sequence this year has so far featured only one win over world-class sides, a one-point home victory over the French in February.

Future Prospects

Therefore the weight of this upround. Analyzing the situation it would look like several changes are anticipated in the starting lineup, with key players being reinstated to the side. Among the forwards, likewise, familiar faces should be included from the outset.

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