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A number of triumphs deliver twofold importance in the lesson they broadcast. Amid the flurry of weekend international rugby fixtures, it was Saturday night's outcome in the French capital that will resonate longest across both hemispheres. Not only the conclusion, but also the style of success. To suggest that the Springboks shattered a number of widely-held theories would be an understatement of the season.

Unexpected Turnaround

Forget about the idea, for instance, that the French team would make amends for the unfairness of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. Assuming that going into the last period with a small margin and an additional player would result in assumed success. That even without their star man Antoine Dupont, they still had sufficient strategies to restrain the big beasts safely at bay.

Instead, it was a case of counting their poulets prematurely. After being behind on the scoreboard, the reduced Springboks finished by racking up 19 points without reply, strengthening their standing as a side who increasingly reserve their top performance for the toughest situations. While overpowering New Zealand in Wellington in earlier this year was a message, this was clear demonstration that the world’s No 1 side are developing an even thicker skin.

Set-Piece Superiority

Actually, Erasmus's experienced front eight are starting to make all other teams look less committed by comparison. Scotland and England both had their promising spells over the recent fixtures but did not have the same dominant forwards that thoroughly overwhelmed the home side to rubble in the last half-hour. Some promising young home nation players are coming through but, by the conclusion, the encounter was men against boys.

What was perhaps even more striking was the psychological resilience supporting it all. Missing Lood de Jager – given a red card in the first half for a shoulder to the head of the opposition kicker – the Springboks could potentially become disorganized. As it happened they simply circled the wagons and began dragging the deflated boys in blue to what one former French international referred to as “extreme physical pressure.”

Guidance and Example

Afterwards, having been hoisted around the venue on the immense frames of the lock pairing to mark his century of appearances, the team leader, the flanker, repeatedly emphasized how several of his team have been required to conquer personal challenges and how he hoped his side would in the same way continue to encourage others.

The insightful David Flatman also made an astute point on television, suggesting that Erasmus’s record increasingly make him the parallel figure of Sir Alex Ferguson. In the event that the world champions do go on to claim a third straight world title there will be no doubt whatsoever. In case they fail to achieve it, the intelligent way in which Erasmus has rejuvenated a possibly veteran roster has been an object lesson to all.

New Generation

Look no further than his emerging number 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who sprinted past for the late try that properly blew open the opposition line. Or the scrum-half, another half-back with blistering pace and an keener eye for a gap. Undoubtedly it helps to play behind a dominant set of forwards, with André Esterhuizen adding physicality, but the steady transformation of the South African team from physically imposing units into a squad who can also move with agility and strike decisively is hugely impressive.

Home Side's Moments

This is not to imply that France were utterly overwhelmed, in spite of their weak ending. Damian Penaud’s later touchdown in the far side was a good illustration. The power up front that engaged the Bok forwards, the excellent wide ball from the full-back and the try-scorer's execution into the advertising hoardings all exhibited the traits of a squad with considerable ability, without their star man.

However, that ultimately proved inadequate, which really is a sobering thought for all other nations. There is no way, for instance, that the Scottish side could have gone 17-0 down to the Springboks and fought back in the way they did against the All Blacks. Notwithstanding the English team's last-quarter improvement, there remains a gap to close before Steve Borthwick’s squad can be certain of standing up to Erasmus’s green-clad giants with high stakes.

Northern Hemisphere Challenges

Overcoming an Pacific Island team was challenging on Saturday although the upcoming showdown against the All Blacks will be the contest that properly defines their autumn. The visitors are definitely still beatable, especially missing an influential back in their backline, but when it comes to capitalizing on opportunities they remain a cut above most the home unions.

The Thistles were particularly guilty of failing to hammer home the killing points and doubts still hang over England’s ideal backline blend. It is acceptable performing in the final quarter – and far superior than fading in the closing stages – but their commendable winning sequence this year has so far featured only one win over world-class sides, a close result over France in the winter.

Future Prospects

Hence the weight of this coming Saturday. Reading between the lines it would seem a number of adjustments are likely in the starting lineup, with key players being reinstated to the side. In the pack, in the same way, first-choice players should all be back from the beginning.

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