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A number of triumphs send double importance in the lesson they broadcast. Within the flood of weekend rugby Tests, it was Saturday night's result in the French capital that will linger most enduringly across the rugby world. Not just the end result, but the way the approach of success. To say that South Africa overturned several comfortable assumptions would be an understatement of the rugby year.

Shifting Momentum

Discard the idea, for instance, that the French team would rectify the unfairness of their World Cup last-eight loss. That entering the last period with a narrow lead and an numerical superiority would result in certain victory. That even without their star man Antoine Dupont, they still had more than enough resources to keep the powerful opponents safely at bay.

Instead, it was a case of counting their poulets before time. After being 17-13 down, the South African side with a player sent off finished by racking up 19 points without reply, reinforcing their standing as a side who more and more save their best for the most challenging situations. While overpowering New Zealand in Wellington in the last quarter was a statement, this was clear demonstration that the world’s No 1 side are building an more robust mentality.

Set-Piece Superiority

If anything, the coach's experienced front eight are increasingly make opposing sides look less intense by comparison. Both northern hemisphere teams experienced their promising spells over the two-day period but possessed nothing like the same powerful carriers that thoroughly overwhelmed France to landfill in the closing period. A number of talented young French forwards are emerging but, by the conclusion, the encounter was men against boys.

What was perhaps even more striking was the psychological resilience underpinning it all. Missing their lock forward – given a red card in the first half for a shoulder to the head of the French full-back – the Springboks could might well have become disorganized. Instead they simply regrouped and began dragging the disheartened home team to what an ex-France player referred to as “extreme physical pressure.”

Captaincy and Motivation

Following the match, having been carried around the Parisian stadium on the gigantic shoulders of Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman to celebrate his 100th cap, the South African skipper, Siya Kolisi, yet again stressed how many of his team have been obliged to conquer personal challenges and how he wished his team would in the same way continue to motivate people.

The insightful a commentator also made an astute comment on broadcast, stating that Erasmus’s record progressively make him the rugby coaching equivalent of Sir Alex Ferguson. In the event that the world champions do go on to secure another global trophy there will be complete assurance. In case they fall short, the intelligent way in which the coach has refreshed a potentially ageing roster has been an exemplary model to all.

Emerging Talent

Consider his young playmaker the rising star who sprinted past for the decisive touchdown that decisively broke the home defense. And also another half-back, a further backline player with blistering pace and an keener eye for a gap. Undoubtedly it helps to have the support of a massive forward unit, with André Esterhuizen riding shotgun, but the continuing evolution of the Springboks from intimidating giants into a squad who can also move with agility and strike decisively is remarkable.

Glimpses of French Quality

Which is not to say that the French team were utterly overwhelmed, notwithstanding their weak ending. Damian Penaud’s later touchdown in the far side was a good illustration. The forward dominance that occupied the visiting eight, the superb distribution from the playmaker and Penaud’s finishing dive into the advertising hoardings all exhibited the traits of a squad with significant talent, without Dupont.

Yet that in the end was not enough, which really is a sobering thought for all other nations. It is inconceivable, for example, that the visitors could have gone 17-0 down to South Africa and mounted a comeback in the way they did against the All Blacks. Despite England’s strong finish, there still exists a journey ahead before the England team can be certain of standing up to the South African powerhouses with everything on the line.

European Prospects

Defeating an developing Fijian side proved tricky enough on the weekend although the upcoming showdown against the the Kiwis will be the match that accurately reflects their end-of-year series. New Zealand are certainly vulnerable, particularly without Jordie Barrett in their center, but when it comes to capitalizing on opportunities they continue to be a cut above almost all the northern hemisphere teams.

The Scottish team were particularly guilty of missing the chance to secure the killing points and doubts still hang over England’s optimal back division. It is acceptable ending matches well – and much preferable than fading in the closing stages – but their admirable undefeated streak this year has so far featured only one win over elite-level teams, a one-point home victory over the French in February.

Next Steps

Hence the importance of this next weekend. Interpreting the signals it would look like several changes are likely in the starting lineup, with experienced individuals being reinstated to the side. In the pack, likewise, first-choice players should all be back from the beginning.

But context is key, in competition as in existence. In the lead-up to the upcoming world championship the {rest