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Certain wins deliver twofold importance in the lesson they broadcast. Among the flood of weekend Test matches, it was Saturday night's outcome in the French capital that will echo most enduringly across the rugby world. Not merely the final score, but also the approach of success. To say that South Africa shattered several established assumptions would be an oversimplification of the season.

Unexpected Turnaround

Forget about the notion, for example, that France would make amends for the injustice of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. Assuming that going into the last period with a small margin and an extra man would result in assumed success. Even in the absence of their key player their scrum-half, they still had sufficient strategies to restrain the powerful opponents at a distance.

Instead, it was a case of counting their poulets too early. After being trailing by four points, the 14-man Boks finished by registering 19 consecutive points, reinforcing their reputation as a squad who more and more deliver their finest rugby for the most demanding circumstances. If overpowering New Zealand in Wellington in earlier this year was a declaration, this was clear demonstration that the top-ranked team are building an even thicker skin.

Pack Power

Actually, Rassie Erasmus’s experienced front eight are starting to make all other teams look laissez-faire by juxtaposition. Scotland and England experienced their promising spells over the weekend but possessed nothing like the same powerful carriers that effectively reduced the French pack to rubble in the last half-hour. A number of talented young home nation players are coming through but, by the final whistle, Saturday night was hommes contre garçons.

What was perhaps even more striking was the inner fortitude driving it all. Without the second-rower – issued a 38th-minute straight red for a dangerous contact of the French full-back – the Boks could easily have faltered. As it happened they just circled the wagons and began pulling the demoralized home team to what one former French international referred to as “a place of suffering.”

Guidance and Example

Following the match, having been hoisted around the Parisian stadium on the gigantic shoulders of the lock pairing to honor his hundredth Test, the team leader, the flanker, once again emphasized how a significant number of his team have been required to overcome off-field adversity and how he wished his team would in the same way continue to motivate others.

The ever-sage a commentator also made an perceptive point on broadcast, proposing that his results increasingly make him the parallel figure of Sir Alex Ferguson. In the event that the world champions manage to secure another global trophy there will be no doubt whatsoever. Even if they fall short, the smart way in which the mentor has refreshed a potentially ageing squad has been an exemplary model to everyone.

Young Stars

Look no further than his emerging number 10 the rising star who skipped over for the decisive touchdown that properly blew open the home defense. Or another half-back, another playmaker with blistering pace and an more acute vision for space. Naturally it is an advantage to play behind a massive forward unit, with the inside back riding shotgun, but the ongoing metamorphosis of the Boks from intimidating giants into a team who can also move with agility and deliver telling blows is remarkable.

Home Side's Moments

However, it should not be thought that France were totally outclassed, notwithstanding their limp finish. Damian Penaud’s additional score in the right corner was a good illustration. The set-piece strength that tied in the visiting eight, the excellent wide ball from the full-back and Penaud’s finishing dive into the advertising hoardings all demonstrated the traits of a squad with notable skill, despite missing their captain.

But even that turned out to be insufficient, which truly represents a sobering thought for all other nations. 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 in their fixture. Despite the English team's strong finish, there is a journey ahead before the England team can be assured of competing with the world's top team with everything on the line.

Northern Hemisphere Challenges

Overcoming an developing Fijian side proved tricky enough on Saturday although the next encounter against the New Zealand will be the match that properly defines their autumn. The visitors are definitely still beatable, particularly without an influential back in their midfield, but when it comes to capitalizing on opportunities they remain a step ahead the majority of the European sides.

The Scottish team were particularly guilty of failing to hammer home the decisive blows and doubts still surround the English side's optimal back division. It is fine ending matches well – and infinitely better than losing them late on – but their admirable nine-match unbeaten run this year has so far shown just one success over elite-level teams, a one-point home victory over Les Bleus in earlier in the year.

Next Steps

Hence the weight of this upround. Interpreting the signals it would look like several changes are likely in the team selection, with established stars being reinstated to the team. Among the forwards, likewise, first-choice players should return from the start.

Yet context is key, in competition as in reality. Between now and the upcoming world championship the {rest