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A number of triumphs carry double importance in the lesson they broadcast. Amid the barrage of weekend Test matches, it was Saturday night's outcome in Paris that will linger most enduringly across both hemispheres. Not merely the final score, but the way the approach of victory. To say that the Springboks overturned several comfortable assumptions would be an oversimplification of the season.

Unexpected Turnaround

So much for the theory, for example, that France would rectify the injustice of their World Cup elimination. Assuming that going into the last period with a slight advantage and an numerical superiority would result in inevitable glory. That even without their star man their captain, they still had sufficient resources to contain the powerful opponents safely at bay.

Instead, it was a case of assuming victory before time. Having been behind on the scoreboard, the South African side with a player sent off concluded with registering 19 consecutive points, strengthening their status as a team who consistently save their best for the toughest circumstances. If overpowering New Zealand in Wellington in earlier this year was a message, this was definitive evidence that the world’s No 1 side are cultivating an more robust mentality.

Set-Piece Superiority

Actually, Erasmus's champion Bok forwards are starting to make opposing sides look less intense by contrast. The Scottish and English sides both had their moments over the recent fixtures but possessed nothing like the same dominant forwards that systematically dismantled the French pack to landfill in the last half-hour. Some promising young home nation players are coming through but, by the conclusion, Saturday night was hommes contre garçons.

Even more notable was the mental strength underpinning it all. Missing their lock forward – shown a 38th-minute straight red for a dangerous contact of Thomas Ramos – the Boks could potentially become disorganized. On the contrary they just united and set about dragging the deflated boys in blue to what a retired hooker described as “the hurt locker.”

Guidance and Example

Following the match, having been carried around the Stade de France on the powerful backs of the lock pairing to honor his century of appearances, the team leader, the inspirational figure, repeatedly stressed how several of his players have been needed to conquer life difficulties and how he aspired his side would likewise continue to inspire others.

The perceptive a commentator also made an astute comment on broadcast, stating that his results more and more make him the parallel figure of the Manchester United great. If South Africa do go on to claim a third straight world title there will be complete assurance. In case they fall short, the smart way in which the coach has rejuvenated a potentially ageing roster has been an exemplary model to everyone.

Young Stars

Take for example his emerging number 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who skipped over for the closing score that properly blew open the French windows. Or Grant Williams, a further playmaker with explosive speed and an keener ability to spot openings. Undoubtedly it helps to play behind a massive forward unit, with André Esterhuizen riding shotgun, but the ongoing metamorphosis of the South African team from intimidating giants into a team who can also move with agility and strike decisively is hugely impressive.

Glimpses of French Quality

This is not to imply that France were utterly overwhelmed, in spite of their weak ending. The wing's additional score in the far side was a clear example. The forward dominance that engaged the visiting eight, the glorious long pass from Ramos and Penaud’s finishing dive into the advertising hoardings all demonstrated the traits of a team with considerable ability, even in the absence of their star man.

But even that turned out to be insufficient, which truly represents a daunting prospect for everybody else. There is no way, for instance, that the Scottish side could have fallen behind by 17 points to the Springboks and fought back in the way they did in their fixture. Despite England’s late resurgence, there remains a gap to close before Steve Borthwick’s squad can be certain of facing Erasmus’s green-clad giants with all at stake.

European Prospects

Overcoming an improving Fiji posed difficulties on Saturday although the next encounter against the All Blacks will be the fixture that accurately reflects their end-of-year series. The visitors are definitely still beatable, particularly without an influential back in their midfield, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they continue to be a cut above almost all the northern hemisphere teams.

Scotland were especially culpable of failing to hammer home the decisive blows and doubts still apply to the English side's optimal back division. It is fine performing in the final quarter – and much preferable than losing them late on – but their notable winning sequence this year has so far shown just one success over world-class sides, a one-point home victory over Les Bleus in February.

Next Steps

Thus the significance of this coming Saturday. Analyzing the situation it would look like a number of adjustments are likely in the matchday squad, with established stars coming back to the team. In the pack, similarly, familiar faces should be included from the start.

But perspective matters, in rugby as in reality. From now until the next global tournament the {rest