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Some victories deliver dual importance in the lesson they convey. Among the flood of weekend rugby Tests, it was Saturday night's score in the French capital that will linger most enduringly across both hemispheres. Not only the end result, but equally the approach of success. To claim that the Springboks demolished various widely-held beliefs would be an modest description of the calendar.

Shifting Momentum

Forget about the notion, for instance, that the French team would make amends for the injustice of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. That entering the last period with a small margin and an extra man would lead to inevitable glory. That even without their key player their captain, they still had sufficient resources to keep the powerful opponents safely at bay.

As it turned out, it was a case of counting their poulets too early. Initially 17-13 down, the 14-man Boks finished by registering 19 consecutive points, confirming their status as a squad who consistently deliver their finest rugby for the toughest scenarios. While beating New Zealand 43-10 in earlier this year was a declaration, this was definitive evidence that the world’s No 1 side are cultivating an more robust mentality.

Pack Power

Actually, Rassie Erasmus’s champion Bok forwards are beginning to make all other teams look less intense by juxtaposition. Scotland and England experienced their periods of promise over the recent fixtures but did not have the same powerful carriers that thoroughly overwhelmed the French pack to rubble in the closing period. Several up-and-coming young home nation players are emerging but, by the conclusion, the encounter was hommes contre garçons.

Even more notable was the psychological resilience supporting it all. In the absence of their lock forward – given a 38th-minute straight red for a dangerous contact of the opposition kicker – the Springboks could potentially become disorganized. On the contrary they simply circled the wagons and proceeded to dragging the demoralized boys in blue to what an ex-France player called “the hurt locker.”

Guidance and Example

Post-game, having been carried around the venue on the gigantic shoulders of Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman to mark his 100th cap, the South African skipper, the flanker, repeatedly stressed how many of his players have been required to overcome life difficulties and how he aspired his squad would similarly continue to encourage others.

The perceptive a commentator also made an shrewd comment on television, stating that Erasmus’s record progressively make him the parallel figure of the legendary football manager. Should the Springboks succeed in claim a third straight world title there will be no doubt whatsoever. Even if they fail to achieve it, the smart way in which the coach has revitalized a possibly veteran squad has been an masterclass to everyone.

Emerging Talent

Take for example his 23-year-old fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who darted through for the closing score that decisively broke the opposition line. And also Grant Williams, another backline player with explosive speed and an keener vision for space. Naturally it helps to have the support of a gargantuan pack, with the powerful center riding shotgun, but the ongoing metamorphosis of the Boks from physically imposing units into a side who can also display finesse and deliver telling blows is extraordinary.

French Flashes

However, it should not be thought that the French team were completely dominated, in spite of their weak ending. The wing's later touchdown in the wing area was a good illustration. The set-piece strength that engaged the visiting eight, the excellent wide ball from the playmaker and Penaud’s finishing dive into the sideline boards all exhibited the characteristics of a squad with notable skill, without their star man.

However, that ultimately proved not enough, which really is a daunting prospect for competing teams. It is inconceivable, for instance, that Scotland could have gone 17-0 down to the world champions and come galloping back in the way they did versus New Zealand. Despite England’s late resurgence, there is a journey ahead before the England team can be confident of standing up to Erasmus’s green-clad giants with everything on the line.

Northern Hemisphere Challenges

Beating an Pacific Island team proved tricky enough on match day although the next encounter against the the Kiwis will be the fixture that accurately reflects their end-of-year series. The All Blacks are certainly vulnerable, especially missing an influential back in their backline, but when it comes to capitalizing on opportunities they continue to be a level above almost all the home unions.

The Scottish team were particularly guilty of failing to hammer home the decisive blows and question marks still apply to the red rose's ideal backline blend. It is acceptable performing in the final quarter – and far superior than fading in the closing stages – but their admirable undefeated streak this year has so far featured only one win over world-class sides, a close result over Les Bleus in the winter.

Next Steps

Thus the weight of this next weekend. Interpreting the signals it would look like various alterations are anticipated in the starting lineup, with experienced individuals returning to the team. In the pack, in the same way, regular starters should all be back from the beginning.

But context is key, in rugby as in life. From now until the upcoming world championship the {rest