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A number of triumphs deliver twofold importance in the lesson they broadcast. Amid the flood of weekend international rugby fixtures, it was Saturday night's score in Paris that will linger most enduringly across the rugby world. Not merely the conclusion, but equally the manner of success. To claim that South Africa overturned several comfortable theories would be an modest description of the season.

Surprising Comeback

So much for the idea, for example, that France would rectify the disappointment of their World Cup last-eight loss. The belief that entering the final quarter with a narrow lead and an numerical superiority would translate into certain victory. Even in the absence of their star man Antoine Dupont, they still had ample strategies to restrain the powerful opponents under control.

Instead, it was a case of assuming victory too early. Having been trailing by four points, the 14-man Boks ended up scoring 19 unanswered points, strengthening their reputation as a team who more and more save their best for the toughest situations. If defeating the All Blacks by a large margin in earlier this year was a message, now came clear demonstration that the world’s No 1 side are building an even thicker skin.

Pack Power

If anything, the coach's title-winning pack are increasingly make everyone else look less intense by comparison. Both northern hemisphere teams both had their moments over the two-day period but possessed nothing like the same powerful carriers that systematically dismantled France to ruins in the final thirty minutes. Several up-and-coming young home nation players are coming through but, by the end, the encounter was men against boys.

What was perhaps even more striking was the psychological resilience underpinning it all. Without their lock forward – given a dismissal before halftime for a shoulder to the head of the French full-back – the South Africans could easily have become disorganized. Instead they merely regrouped and set about taking the demoralized boys in blue to what an ex-France player referred to as “a place of suffering.”

Guidance and Example

Post-game, having been carried around the venue on the immense frames of the lock pairing to celebrate his 100th cap, the Springbok captain, the inspirational figure, once again highlighted how several of his team have been obliged to conquer life difficulties and how he hoped his team would in the same way continue to encourage fans.

The ever-sage David Flatman also made an astute comment on broadcast, proposing that the coach's achievements more and more make him the rugby's version of Sir Alex Ferguson. Should the Springboks manage to win a third successive World Cup there will be absolute certainty. Even if they fall short, the clever way in which Erasmus has revitalized a potentially ageing squad has been an exemplary model to other teams.

Young Stars

Take for example his 23-year-old fly-half the newcomer who darted through for the late try that effectively shattered the French windows. Additionally the scrum-half, a further backline player with lightning acceleration and an more acute eye for a gap. Naturally it is beneficial to have the support of a massive forward unit, with the inside back riding shotgun, but the steady transformation of the Springboks from physically imposing units into a side who can also display finesse and deliver telling blows is remarkable.

French Flashes

This is not to imply that the French team were totally outclassed, notwithstanding their weak ending. Their winger's second try in the right corner was a clear example. The power up front that tied in the South African pack, the glorious long pass from the full-back and the winger's clinical finish into the advertising hoardings all displayed the traits of a squad with significant talent, even in the absence of their captain.

However, that turned out to be inadequate, which really is a daunting prospect for all other nations. There is no way, for example, that the visitors could have trailed heavily to the world champions and fought back in the way they did against the All Blacks. And for all England’s late resurgence, there is a distance to travel before Steve Borthwick’s squad can be certain of standing up to Erasmus’s green-clad giants with high stakes.

European Prospects

Defeating an developing Fijian side was challenging on Saturday although the next encounter against the the Kiwis will be the contest that properly defines their end-of-year series. New Zealand are definitely still beatable, especially missing Jordie Barrett in their backline, but when it comes to taking their chances they continue to be a step ahead almost all the home unions.

Scotland were especially culpable of not finishing off the final nails and uncertainties still surround England’s ideal backline blend. It is acceptable performing in the final quarter – and much preferable than losing them late on – but their notable undefeated streak this year has so far featured only one win over elite-level teams, a narrow win over France in February.

Next Steps

Thus the weight of this next weekend. Analyzing the situation it would look like various alterations are likely in the starting lineup, with established stars coming back to the team. Up front, likewise, first-choice players should return from the beginning.

Yet context is key, in sport as in reality. From now until the next global tournament the {rest