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A number of triumphs carry twofold significance in the lesson they broadcast. Within the flurry of weekend Test matches, it was the Saturday evening result in the French capital that will linger most profoundly across the rugby world. Not just the conclusion, but the way the manner of success. To claim that South Africa demolished various established assumptions would be an oversimplification of the rugby year.

Shifting Momentum

So much for the notion, for example, that France would avenge the unfairness of their World Cup last-eight loss. The belief that entering the final quarter with a slight advantage and an additional player would lead to assumed success. Despite missing their talisman their scrum-half, they still had more than enough resources to restrain the big beasts under control.

As it turned out, it was a case of assuming victory prematurely. Having been behind on the scoreboard, the reduced Springboks concluded with scoring 19 unanswered points, reinforcing their status as a team who increasingly deliver their finest rugby for the toughest situations. Whereas overpowering New Zealand in Wellington in September was a message, here was clear demonstration that the top-ranked team are cultivating an more robust mentality.

Set-Piece Superiority

Actually, Rassie Erasmus’s champion Bok forwards are starting to make all other teams look less intense by contrast. The Scottish and English sides both had their promising spells over the recent fixtures but possessed nothing like the same dominant forwards that thoroughly overwhelmed the French pack to ruins in the final thirty minutes. Some promising young home nation players are developing but, by the final whistle, Saturday night was a mismatch in experience.

Even more notable was the psychological resilience supporting it all. Without Lood de Jager – issued a dismissal before halftime for a dangerous contact of the opposition kicker – the South Africans could easily have become disorganized. On the contrary they merely united and began taking the disheartened boys in blue to what an ex-France player described as “a place of suffering.”

Captaincy and Motivation

Post-game, having been carried around the Parisian stadium on the powerful backs of the lock pairing to mark his century of appearances, the team leader, the inspirational figure, yet again highlighted how several of his players have been needed to rise above life difficulties and how he wished his side would similarly continue to encourage people.

The ever-sage a commentator also made an shrewd observation on television, stating that the coach's achievements more and more make him the rugby's version of the legendary football manager. In the event that the world champions manage to secure another global trophy there will be absolute certainty. In case they fail to achieve it, the clever way in which Erasmus has revitalized a potentially ageing team has been an exemplary model to other teams.

New Generation

Take for example his 23-year-old fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who sprinted past for the late try that properly blew open the French windows. Or another half-back, a second backline player with blistering pace and an keener eye for a gap. Of course it is beneficial to operate behind a dominant set of forwards, with the powerful center riding shotgun, but the ongoing metamorphosis of the South African team from physically imposing units into a team who can also move with agility and sting like bees is remarkable.

Glimpses of French Quality

However, it should not be thought that France were utterly overwhelmed, notwithstanding their fading performance. Their winger's second try in the far side was a good illustration. The set-piece strength that occupied the Bok forwards, the superb distribution from the playmaker and Penaud’s finishing dive into the advertising hoardings all exhibited the hallmarks of a team with considerable ability, despite missing Dupont.

Yet that ultimately proved not enough, which is a daunting prospect for everybody else. It is inconceivable, for example, that Scotland could have gone 17-0 down to the world champions and mounted a comeback in the way they did versus New Zealand. Notwithstanding the red rose's late resurgence, there remains a distance to travel before Steve Borthwick’s squad can be assured of standing up to Erasmus’s green-clad giants with everything on the line.

Northern Hemisphere Challenges

Overcoming an developing Fijian side proved tricky enough on Saturday although the forthcoming clash against the All Blacks will be the fixture that properly defines their November Tests. The All Blacks are certainly vulnerable, especially missing their key midfielder in their backline, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they continue to be a cut above the majority of the home unions.

Scotland were notably at fault of failing to hammer home the final nails and uncertainties still hang over the English side's ideal backline blend. It is fine ending matches well – and much preferable 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 earlier in the year.

Future Prospects

Hence the importance of this upround. Reading between the lines it would appear various alterations are expected in the team selection, with key players being reinstated to the team. Among the forwards, likewise, familiar faces should be included from the start.

But context is key, in competition as in life. Between now and the next global tournament the {rest