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Some victories deliver twofold weight in the lesson they broadcast. Among the flood of weekend international rugby fixtures, it was the Saturday evening outcome in the French capital that will linger most enduringly across the rugby world. Not just the conclusion, but equally the style of victory. To say that South Africa shattered a number of widely-held beliefs would be an modest description of the rugby year.

Unexpected Turnaround

Discard the notion, for example, that the French team would avenge the disappointment of their World Cup last-eight loss. Assuming that going into the last period with a slight advantage and an additional player would lead to inevitable glory. Even in the absence of their talisman their captain, they still had ample strategies to keep the strong rivals under control.

As it turned out, it was a case of celebrating too soon too early. Having been trailing by four points, the reduced Springboks concluded with scoring 19 unanswered points, confirming their status as a team who consistently save their best for the most demanding scenarios. While defeating the All Blacks by a large margin in earlier this year was a statement, here was conclusive proof that the top-ranked team are cultivating an even thicker skin.

Pack Power

Actually, the coach's champion Bok forwards are increasingly make all other teams look laissez-faire by comparison. The Scottish and English sides both had their periods of promise over the two-day period but possessed nothing like the same powerful carriers that systematically dismantled the home side to rubble in the last half-hour. Several up-and-coming young France's pack members are coming through but, by the final whistle, the match was hommes contre garçons.

Even more notable was the inner fortitude underpinning it all. In the absence of the second-rower – issued a 38th-minute straight red for a high tackle of the French full-back – the South Africans could potentially lost their composure. On the contrary they simply regrouped and proceeded to taking the disheartened boys in blue to what one former French international described as “a place of suffering.”

Captaincy and Motivation

Afterwards, having been borne aloft around the venue on the powerful backs of the lock pairing to mark his century of appearances, the South African skipper, the flanker, yet again emphasized how a significant number of his team have been required to conquer personal challenges and how he hoped his team would in the same way continue to encourage others.

The ever-sage an analyst also made an astute point on broadcast, proposing that Erasmus’s record progressively make him the rugby coaching equivalent of the Manchester United great. Should the Springboks succeed in win a third successive World Cup there will be no doubt whatsoever. Should they come up short, the intelligent way in which the mentor has revitalized a potentially ageing roster has been an object lesson to all.

Emerging Talent

Consider his 23-year-old fly-half the rising star who sprinted past for the late try that effectively shattered the home defense. And also Grant Williams, a second playmaker with explosive speed and an keener eye for a gap. Of course it helps to play behind a dominant set of forwards, with the powerful center adding physicality, but the continuing evolution of the South African team from scowling heavyweights into a squad who can also move with agility and sting like bees is extraordinary.

Glimpses of French Quality

Which is not to say that France were utterly overwhelmed, notwithstanding their weak ending. The wing's additional score in the far side was a good illustration. The power up front that engaged the visiting eight, the glorious long pass from Ramos and the try-scorer's execution into the sideline boards all demonstrated the characteristics of a squad with notable skill, without their star man.

However, that in the end was not enough, which really is a humbling reality for everybody else. It is inconceivable, for instance, that the visitors could have gone 17-0 down to the Springboks and come galloping back in the way they did in their fixture. And for all England’s last-quarter improvement, there remains a gap to close before Steve Borthwick’s squad can be confident of competing with the world's top team with everything on the line.

European Prospects

Defeating an developing Fijian side posed difficulties on the weekend although the next encounter against the New Zealand will be the fixture that properly defines their autumn. 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 northern hemisphere teams.

The Thistles were especially culpable of missing the chance to secure the final nails and question marks still hang over the red rose's perfect backline combination. It is fine finishing games strongly – and far superior than losing them late on – but their admirable undefeated streak this year has so far shown just one success over world-class sides, a close result over the French in the winter.

Looking Ahead

Thus the significance of this next weekend. Reading between the lines it would appear several changes are anticipated in the matchday squad, with experienced individuals being reinstated to the team. In the pack, in the same way, familiar faces should all be back from the start.

Yet everything is relative, in sport as in reality. In the lead-up to the upcoming world championship the {rest