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A number of triumphs carry twofold significance in the lesson they communicate. Among the flurry of weekend rugby Tests, it was Saturday night's result in Paris that will resonate most profoundly across the rugby world. Not merely the conclusion, but also the approach of victory. To suggest that the Springboks shattered various established beliefs would be an understatement of the calendar.

Surprising Comeback

Forget about the idea, for example, that the French team would avenge the injustice of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. Assuming that going into the last period with a slight advantage and an additional player would result in assumed success. Despite missing their talisman their scrum-half, they still had ample strategies to contain the big beasts safely at bay.

On the contrary, it was a case of counting their poulets too early. Initially 17-13 down, the reduced Springboks concluded with registering 19 consecutive points, confirming their standing as a squad who increasingly save their best for the toughest scenarios. Whereas overpowering New Zealand in Wellington in earlier this year was a statement, this was conclusive proof that the leading international squad are building an even thicker skin.

Set-Piece Superiority

In fact, Erasmus's champion Bok forwards are starting to make all other teams look less committed by comparison. The Scottish and English sides both had their moments over the recent fixtures but lacked entirely the same dominant forwards that effectively reduced the French pack to ruins in the last half-hour. Several up-and-coming young home nation players are developing but, by the conclusion, the encounter was a mismatch in experience.

What was perhaps even more striking was the psychological resilience underpinning it all. In the absence of Lood de Jager – given a dismissal before halftime for a high tackle of the French full-back – the Springboks could potentially lost their composure. Instead they simply united and set about taking the deflated French side to what one former French international called “extreme physical pressure.”

Leadership and Inspiration

Afterwards, having been borne aloft around the Parisian stadium on the powerful backs of the lock pairing to honor his hundredth Test, the South African skipper, the flanker, repeatedly highlighted how many of his squad have been required to conquer life difficulties and how he wished his side would in the same way continue to encourage people.

The insightful a commentator also made an shrewd comment on sports media, suggesting that Erasmus’s record increasingly make him the rugby's version of Sir Alex Ferguson. Should the Springboks 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 refreshed a possibly veteran squad has been an object lesson to all.

New Generation

Consider his young playmaker the newcomer who skipped over for the closing score that properly blew open the home defense. Or Grant Williams, a further playmaker with explosive speed and an keener vision for space. Naturally it helps to play behind a dominant set of forwards, with the inside back adding physicality, but the ongoing metamorphosis of the Springboks from physically imposing units into a team who can also float like butterflies and deliver telling blows is remarkable.

French Flashes

Which is not to say that the French team were completely dominated, notwithstanding their weak ending. The wing's second try in the far side was a clear example. The power up front that engaged the Bok forwards, the excellent wide ball from the full-back and Penaud’s finishing dive into the perimeter signage all exhibited the characteristics of a side with significant talent, even in the absence of their captain.

But even that ultimately proved insufficient, which is a humbling reality for competing teams. It is inconceivable, for example, that Scotland could have trailed heavily to the world champions and fought back in the way they did in their fixture. Notwithstanding the English team's late resurgence, there still exists a distance to travel before Steve Borthwick’s squad can be assured of competing with the world's top team with everything on the line.

Home Nations' Tests

Beating an Pacific Island team posed difficulties on match day although the upcoming showdown against the All Blacks will be the contest that accurately reflects their autumn. The visitors are certainly vulnerable, especially missing Jordie Barrett in their backline, but when it comes to capitalizing on opportunities they are still a cut above the majority of the European sides.

The Thistles were particularly guilty of missing the chance to secure the final nails and doubts still hang over the red rose's perfect backline combination. It is acceptable finishing games strongly – and far superior than losing them late on – but their commendable winning sequence this year has so far included just a single victory over top-drawer opposition, a narrow win over Les Bleus in earlier in the year.

Next Steps

Thus the importance of this next weekend. Reading between the lines it would seem several changes are likely in the team selection, with key players coming back to the lineup. Up front, likewise, first-choice players should all be back from the start.

However perspective matters, in competition as in reality. From now until the next global tournament the {rest