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Some victories send twofold weight in the lesson they convey. Amid the barrage of weekend international rugby fixtures, it was the Saturday evening outcome in the French capital that will linger most enduringly across both hemispheres. Not just the conclusion, but also the style of success. To suggest that South Africa overturned several established theories would be an oversimplification of the season.

Unexpected Turnaround

Forget about the theory, for instance, that the French team would avenge the unfairness of their World Cup last-eight loss. That entering the closing stages with a small margin and an extra man would translate into certain victory. Despite missing their star man Antoine Dupont, they still had sufficient resources to restrain the strong rivals under control.

As it turned out, it was a case of assuming victory prematurely. Having been behind on the scoreboard, the South African side with a player sent off finished by racking up 19 points without reply, confirming their reputation as a team who increasingly reserve their top performance for the most demanding scenarios. Whereas beating New Zealand 43-10 in September was a statement, this was conclusive proof that the world’s No 1 side are developing an more robust mentality.

Forward Dominance

In fact, Erasmus's experienced front eight are increasingly make opposing sides look laissez-faire by contrast. The Scottish and English sides each enjoyed their periods of promise over the recent fixtures but possessed nothing like the same dominant forwards that systematically dismantled the home side to rubble in the last half-hour. Some promising young France's pack members are emerging but, by the end, Saturday night was a mismatch in experience.

What was perhaps even more striking was the psychological resilience driving it all. Missing their lock forward – shown a red card in the first half for a high tackle of the opposition kicker – the Springboks could potentially lost their composure. On the contrary they simply regrouped and set about pulling the deflated boys in blue to what a retired hooker described as “the hurt locker.”

Leadership and Inspiration

Following the match, having been hoisted around the Stade de France on the immense frames of two key forwards to celebrate his 100th cap, the South African skipper, the inspirational figure, yet again emphasized how a significant number of his squad have been needed to conquer personal challenges and how he wished his team would likewise continue to encourage people.

The perceptive a commentator also made an astute comment on broadcast, proposing that the coach's achievements progressively make him the parallel figure of the Manchester United great. In the event that the world champions succeed in win a third successive World Cup there will be no doubt whatsoever. In case they fail to achieve it, the clever way in which the mentor has refreshed a experienced squad has been an object lesson to everyone.

Emerging Talent

Take for example his emerging number 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who darted through for the closing score that decisively broke the home defense. And also Grant Williams, a second backline player with lightning acceleration and an keener eye for a gap. Of course it is beneficial to have the support of a gargantuan pack, with the inside back adding physicality, but the continuing evolution of the South African team from physically imposing units into a squad who can also move with agility and strike decisively is remarkable.

French Flashes

Which is not to say that the French team were completely dominated, despite their limp finish. The wing's later touchdown in the far side was a good illustration. The forward dominance that occupied the visiting eight, the glorious long pass from Ramos and Penaud’s finishing dive into the perimeter signage all demonstrated the traits of a squad with considerable ability, without their star man.

However, that turned out to be not enough, which really is a daunting prospect for everybody else. It would be impossible, for example, that the visitors could have trailed heavily to South Africa and mounted a comeback in the way they did versus New Zealand. Notwithstanding England’s strong finish, there remains a distance to travel before the national side can be confident of standing up to the world's top team with all at stake.

Northern Hemisphere Challenges

Beating an developing Fijian side was challenging on match day although the next encounter against the New Zealand will be the fixture that properly defines their end-of-year series. The All Blacks are not invincible, notably absent Jordie Barrett in their center, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they are still a level above almost all the home unions.

Scotland were notably at fault of failing to hammer home the decisive blows and doubts still hang over England’s optimal back division. It is fine performing in the final quarter – and far superior than succumbing at the death – but their commendable nine-match unbeaten run this year has so far featured only one win over world-class sides, a narrow win over Les Bleus in February.

Future Prospects

Hence the weight of this next weekend. Interpreting the signals it would appear several changes are expected in the matchday squad, with key players returning to the side. Among the forwards, in the same way, familiar faces should all be back from the start.

But everything is relative, in rugby as in existence. Between now and the upcoming world championship the {rest