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Certain wins deliver double importance in the lesson they communicate. Within the flood of weekend rugby Tests, it was the Saturday evening outcome in Paris that will echo longest across both hemispheres. Not merely the end result, but also the manner of success. To say that South Africa shattered various widely-held assumptions would be an understatement of the calendar.

Shifting Momentum

Discard the theory, for instance, that the French team would make amends for the unfairness of their World Cup last-eight loss. That entering the last period with a small margin and an additional player would result in certain victory. Even in the absence of their talisman their scrum-half, they still had more than enough strategies to contain the strong rivals safely at bay.

As it turned out, it was a case of counting their poulets too early. Initially behind on the scoreboard, the South African side with a player sent off ended up racking up 19 points without reply, reinforcing their standing as a team who more and more save their best for the most challenging situations. Whereas defeating the All Blacks by a large margin in the last quarter was a statement, this was clear demonstration that the top-ranked team are cultivating an more robust mentality.

Pack Power

In fact, the coach's title-winning pack are increasingly make opposing sides look laissez-faire by comparison. Scotland and England both had their promising spells over the recent fixtures but did not have the same powerful carriers that thoroughly overwhelmed France to rubble in the final thirty minutes. A number of talented young France's pack members are developing but, by the end, the match was men against boys.

Perhaps most impressive was the mental strength supporting it all. Missing Lood de Jager – shown a dismissal before halftime for a high tackle of the French full-back – the South Africans could easily have become disorganized. On the contrary they just circled the wagons and proceeded to taking the demoralized French side to what a retired hooker referred to as “extreme physical pressure.”

Guidance and Example

Following the match, having been borne aloft around the Stade de France on the immense frames of the lock pairing to celebrate his century of appearances, the Springbok captain, the flanker, yet again highlighted how several of his players have been obliged to rise above life difficulties and how he wished his team would in the same way continue to motivate others.

The perceptive an analyst also made an shrewd comment on sports media, proposing that the coach's achievements more and more make him the parallel figure of the Manchester United great. Should the Springboks manage to secure another global trophy there will be complete assurance. In case they fail to achieve it, the clever way in which Erasmus has revitalized a potentially ageing team has been an masterclass to other teams.

New Generation

Take for example his 23-year-old fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who skipped over for the decisive touchdown that effectively shattered the French windows. Or another half-back, a further playmaker with explosive speed and an keener vision for space. Naturally it helps to have the support of a gargantuan pack, with André Esterhuizen providing support, but the steady transformation of the Springboks from intimidating giants into a squad who can also display finesse and sting like bees is remarkable.

French Flashes

Which is not to say that the home side were totally outclassed, despite their weak ending. Their winger's later touchdown in the far side was a good illustration. The power up front that engaged the South African pack, the superb distribution from the full-back and the winger's clinical finish into the advertising hoardings all displayed the characteristics of a squad with significant talent, even in the absence of Dupont.

However, that in the end was inadequate, which truly represents a humbling reality for competing teams. There is no way, for example, that the visitors could have fallen behind by 17 points to South Africa and fought back in the way they did versus New Zealand. Despite the English team's late resurgence, there is a gap to close before the England team can be certain of standing up to the world's top team with high stakes.

Northern Hemisphere Challenges

Defeating an developing Fijian side posed difficulties on Saturday although the forthcoming clash against the the Kiwis will be the match that accurately reflects their November Tests. The All Blacks are not invincible, particularly without an influential back in their backline, but when it comes to capitalizing on opportunities they continue to be a step ahead the majority of the European sides.

Scotland were particularly guilty of failing to hammer home the final nails and question marks still surround England’s perfect backline combination. It is acceptable finishing games strongly – and far superior than succumbing at the death – but their notable nine-match unbeaten run this year has so far shown just one success over top-drawer opposition, a narrow win over Les Bleus in February.

Future Prospects

Hence the significance of this coming Saturday. Interpreting the signals it would seem various alterations are expected in the matchday squad, with key players coming back to the side. Among the forwards, similarly, first-choice players should return from the start.

Yet context is key, in rugby as in reality. In the lead-up to the next global tournament the {rest