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Certain wins send twofold significance in the lesson they convey. Amid the flood of weekend Test matches, it was Saturday night's outcome in Paris that will linger most enduringly across the globe. Not merely the final score, but the way the approach of success. To say that the Springboks demolished various comfortable beliefs would be an understatement of the rugby year.

Unexpected Turnaround

Forget about the notion, for instance, that France would make amends for the unfairness of their World Cup elimination. The belief that entering the closing stages with a slight advantage and an extra man would translate into assumed success. Despite missing their talisman their scrum-half, they still had ample strategies to restrain the big beasts safely at bay.

On the contrary, it was a case of counting their poulets prematurely. Initially trailing by four points, the South African side with a player sent off concluded with racking up 19 points without reply, strengthening their status as a side who increasingly deliver their finest rugby for the most demanding situations. If overpowering New Zealand in Wellington in earlier this year was a statement, now came definitive evidence that the leading international squad are developing an greater resilience.

Set-Piece Superiority

Actually, Erasmus's champion Bok forwards are starting to make opposing sides look less intense by juxtaposition. Scotland and England experienced their promising spells over the two-day period but possessed nothing like the same dominant forwards that thoroughly overwhelmed France to rubble in the final thirty minutes. A number of talented young France's pack members are emerging but, by the final whistle, Saturday night was men against boys.

Perhaps most impressive was the mental strength driving it all. In the absence of their lock forward – issued a dismissal before halftime for a dangerous contact of the opposition kicker – the South Africans could might well have faltered. On the contrary they merely regrouped and set about pulling the demoralized boys in blue to what an ex-France player called “the hurt locker.”

Captaincy and Motivation

Post-game, having been hoisted around the venue on the powerful backs of the lock pairing to mark his hundredth Test, the team leader, the flanker, yet again emphasized how several of his team have been needed to conquer personal challenges and how he hoped his team would likewise continue to motivate others.

The perceptive a commentator also made an perceptive point on broadcast, suggesting that Erasmus’s record more and more make him the parallel figure of the legendary football manager. Should the Springboks succeed in secure another global trophy 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 everyone.

Young Stars

Look no further than his young playmaker the rising star who sprinted past for the decisive touchdown that properly blew open the opposition line. Additionally another half-back, a further half-back with explosive speed and an keener vision for space. Undoubtedly it is an advantage to play behind a gargantuan pack, with the inside back riding shotgun, but the steady transformation of the Springboks from scowling heavyweights into a squad who can also display finesse and sting like bees is remarkable.

Home Side's Moments

Which is not to say that France were totally outclassed, in spite of their weak ending. Damian Penaud’s additional score in the far side was a prime instance. The forward dominance that occupied the South African pack, the superb distribution from the playmaker and the winger's clinical finish into the advertising hoardings all exhibited the hallmarks of a side with notable skill, even in the absence of their captain.

But even that ultimately proved not enough, which really is a daunting prospect for all other nations. There is no way, for instance, that Scotland could have trailed heavily to the world champions and fought back in the way they did in their fixture. And for all the red rose's late resurgence, there remains a gap to close before the national side can be assured of standing up to Erasmus’s green-clad giants with all at stake.

Home Nations' Tests

Defeating an developing Fijian side proved tricky enough on the weekend although the next encounter against the New Zealand will be the match that accurately reflects their end-of-year series. New Zealand are certainly vulnerable, especially missing their key midfielder in their midfield, but when it comes to capitalizing on opportunities they are still a cut above almost all the northern hemisphere teams.

The Scottish team were particularly guilty of missing the chance to secure the final nails and doubts still apply to England’s ideal backline blend. It is all very well ending matches well – and infinitely better than succumbing at the death – but their notable undefeated streak this year has so far included just a single victory over top-drawer opposition, a close result over Les Bleus in February.

Future Prospects

Thus the weight of this next weekend. Interpreting the signals it would appear a number of adjustments are anticipated in the starting lineup, with experienced individuals coming back to the side. Up front, likewise, first-choice players should be included from the beginning.

However everything is relative, in competition as in life. Between now and the upcoming world championship the {rest