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Certain wins carry dual importance in the lesson they communicate. Among the flurry of weekend international rugby fixtures, it was the Saturday evening score in Paris that will resonate most enduringly across both hemispheres. Not just the final score, but the way the approach of success. To say that the Springboks shattered various widely-held theories would be an modest description of the rugby year.

Shifting Momentum

So much for the idea, for instance, that France would make amends for the injustice of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. That entering the last period with a narrow lead and an numerical superiority would lead to inevitable glory. Even in the absence of their key player Antoine Dupont, they still had sufficient tranquiliser darts to contain the big beasts under control.

On the contrary, it was a case of assuming victory too early. Having been behind on the scoreboard, the South African side with a player sent off ended up racking up 19 points without reply, confirming their status as a squad who consistently save their best for the most challenging scenarios. Whereas defeating the All Blacks by a large margin in the last quarter was a statement, now came clear demonstration that the top-ranked team are developing an more robust mentality.

Forward Dominance

In fact, Erasmus's experienced front eight are increasingly make all other teams look laissez-faire by juxtaposition. The Scottish and English sides each enjoyed their promising spells over the weekend but did not have the same earthmovers that effectively reduced the home side to landfill in the closing period. Some promising young home nation players are developing but, by the final whistle, the encounter was men against boys.

Even more notable was the psychological resilience supporting it all. In the absence of the second-rower – given a 38th-minute straight red for a high tackle of the French full-back – the South Africans could might well have faltered. Instead they simply circled the wagons and proceeded to dragging the deflated home team to what a retired hooker called “a place of suffering.”

Captaincy and Motivation

Following the match, having been carried around the Parisian stadium on the powerful backs of the lock pairing to honor his century of appearances, the South African skipper, the flanker, yet again stressed how a significant number of his squad have been required to overcome off-field adversity and how he hoped his team would in the same way continue to inspire others.

The perceptive an analyst also made an perceptive point on sports media, suggesting that his results increasingly make him the rugby's version of the legendary football manager. Should the Springboks do go on to win a third successive World Cup there will be no doubt whatsoever. Should they fail to achieve it, the clever way in which Erasmus has refreshed a potentially ageing squad has been an exemplary model to everyone.

New Generation

Look no further than his emerging number 10 the newcomer who darted through for the closing score that decisively broke the home defense. Or Grant Williams, a further half-back with lightning acceleration and an keener ability to spot openings. Undoubtedly it is beneficial to have the support of a dominant set of forwards, with André Esterhuizen providing support, but the continuing evolution of the South African team from physically imposing units into a squad who can also display finesse and strike decisively is hugely impressive.

French Flashes

However, it should not be thought that the home side were completely dominated, despite their weak ending. Damian Penaud’s later touchdown in the wing area was a prime instance. The forward dominance that occupied the visiting eight, the excellent wide ball from Ramos and the winger's clinical finish into the sideline boards all exhibited the hallmarks of a squad with significant talent, even in the absence of Dupont.

However, that in the end was inadequate, which really is a sobering thought for all other nations. It would be impossible, for instance, that the Scottish side could have trailed heavily to the Springboks and come galloping back in the way they did in their fixture. Notwithstanding the English team's last-quarter improvement, there remains a gap to close before the national side can be assured of competing with the South African powerhouses with high stakes.

European Prospects

Beating an Pacific Island team posed difficulties on Saturday although the upcoming showdown against the the Kiwis will be the match that truly shapes their end-of-year series. The visitors are not invincible, notably absent an influential back in their midfield, but when it comes to capitalizing on opportunities they continue to be a step ahead most the European sides.

The Thistles were particularly guilty of missing the chance to secure the final nails and question marks still hang over England’s perfect backline combination. It is acceptable finishing games strongly – and much preferable than fading in the closing stages – but their admirable nine-match unbeaten run this year has so far featured only one win over top-drawer opposition, a one-point home victory over Les Bleus in earlier in the year.

Next Steps

Thus the weight of this coming Saturday. Analyzing the situation it would appear several changes are likely in the matchday squad, with experienced individuals returning to the side. Up front, similarly, first-choice players should all be back from the start.

However context is key, in competition as in existence. In the lead-up to the next global tournament the {rest