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Certain wins carry twofold weight in the lesson they broadcast. Within the barrage of weekend rugby Tests, it was Saturday night's result in the French capital that will echo longest across both hemispheres. Not only the end result, but the way the style of victory. To say that the Springboks shattered various widely-held beliefs would be an modest description of the calendar.

Shifting Momentum

So much for the idea, for instance, that France would avenge the disappointment of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. The belief that entering the final quarter with a narrow lead and an extra man would translate into certain victory. Even in the absence of their talisman Antoine Dupont, they still had sufficient strategies to restrain the strong rivals under control.

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 finished by registering 19 consecutive points, strengthening their standing as a side who increasingly reserve their top performance for the most demanding situations. Whereas overpowering New Zealand in Wellington in the last quarter was a declaration, here was definitive evidence that the world’s No 1 side are building an even thicker skin.

Set-Piece Superiority

Actually, Erasmus's title-winning pack are starting to make all other teams look less intense by comparison. Both northern hemisphere teams experienced their promising spells over the weekend but did not have the same powerful carriers that effectively reduced the French pack to landfill in the closing period. A number of talented young French forwards are coming through but, by the end, Saturday night was a mismatch in experience.

Even more notable was the psychological resilience driving it all. Missing their lock forward – given a red card in the first half for a dangerous contact of the opposition kicker – the Boks could potentially faltered. Instead they just circled the wagons and began pulling the deflated boys in blue to what one former French international called “the hurt locker.”

Guidance and Example

Following the match, having been carried around the Stade de France on the gigantic shoulders of two key forwards to celebrate his 100th cap, the team leader, Siya Kolisi, once again stressed how many of his squad have been obliged to rise above life difficulties and how he hoped his team would similarly continue to inspire fans.

The insightful David Flatman also made an shrewd point on broadcast, stating that the coach's achievements more and more make him the parallel figure of the Manchester United great. If South Africa do go on to claim a third straight world title there will be complete assurance. Even if they come up short, the smart way in which Erasmus has rejuvenated a possibly veteran roster has been an object lesson to other teams.

Emerging Talent

Take for example his young playmaker the rising star who skipped over for the late try that decisively broke the French windows. And also Grant Williams, a further backline player with explosive speed and an more acute ability to spot openings. Undoubtedly it is beneficial to operate behind a gargantuan pack, with the inside back adding physicality, but the continuing evolution of the South African team from intimidating giants into a team who can also move with agility and deliver telling blows is hugely impressive.

Home Side's Moments

This is not to imply that the French team were totally outclassed, despite their limp finish. Their winger's later touchdown in the right corner was a clear example. The power up front that occupied the Bok forwards, the superb distribution from Ramos and Penaud’s finishing dive into the sideline boards all exhibited the traits of a team with notable skill, even in the absence of their captain.

Yet that in the end was inadequate, which truly represents a daunting prospect for everybody else. It would be impossible, for example, that the Scottish side could have fallen behind by 17 points to the world champions and mounted a comeback in the way they did against the All Blacks. Despite the red rose's late resurgence, there still exists a distance to travel before Steve Borthwick’s squad can be confident of standing up to Erasmus’s green-clad giants with high stakes.

European Prospects

Defeating an Pacific Island team posed difficulties on match day although the upcoming showdown against the New Zealand will be the contest that truly shapes their end-of-year series. New Zealand are not invincible, notably absent an influential back in their backline, but when it comes to capitalizing on opportunities they remain a cut above the majority of the European sides.

The Thistles were especially culpable of missing the chance to secure the decisive blows and doubts still hang over England’s perfect backline combination. It is acceptable ending matches well – and infinitely better than succumbing at the death – but their admirable undefeated streak this year has so far shown just one success over top-drawer opposition, a one-point home victory over the French in February.

Looking Ahead

Hence the significance of this upround. Reading between the lines it would seem a number of adjustments are expected in the matchday squad, with key players coming back to the lineup. Up front, similarly, regular starters should be included from the start.

However perspective matters, in competition as in life. Between now and the next global tournament the {rest