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A number of triumphs carry twofold weight in the lesson they communicate. Among the flurry of weekend rugby Tests, it was the Saturday evening result in the French capital that will resonate most profoundly across both hemispheres. Not just the end result, but also the approach of victory. To claim that South Africa shattered various comfortable assumptions would be an understatement of the rugby year.

Unexpected Turnaround

Discard the notion, for example, that France would avenge the disappointment of their World Cup elimination. That entering the last period with a slight advantage and an additional player would result in inevitable glory. Even in the absence of their talisman Antoine Dupont, they still had more than enough resources to keep the powerful opponents safely at bay.

As it turned out, it was a case of counting their poulets too early. After being trailing by four points, the 14-man Boks ended up scoring 19 unanswered points, reinforcing their reputation as a squad who consistently reserve their top performance for the toughest circumstances. Whereas defeating the All Blacks by a large margin in earlier this year was a declaration, this was clear demonstration that the top-ranked team are cultivating an greater resilience.

Pack Power

Actually, Erasmus's experienced front eight are increasingly make all other teams look laissez-faire by juxtaposition. Scotland and England both had their moments over the weekend but did not have the same powerful carriers that systematically dismantled the French pack to ruins in the last half-hour. A number of talented young home nation players are coming through but, by the conclusion, the match was a mismatch in experience.

What was perhaps even more striking was the mental strength supporting 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 might well have faltered. As it happened they just united and proceeded to pulling the demoralized French side to what an ex-France player described as “extreme physical pressure.”

Captaincy and Motivation

Afterwards, having been carried around the Parisian stadium on the immense frames of two key forwards to mark his hundredth Test, the Springbok captain, the flanker, yet again highlighted how many of his squad have been needed to overcome personal challenges and how he hoped his team would likewise continue to inspire fans.

The insightful an analyst also made an astute comment on television, stating that the coach's achievements progressively make him the parallel figure of Sir Alex Ferguson. Should the Springboks manage to secure another global trophy there will be absolute certainty. In case they fall short, the clever way in which the coach has refreshed a experienced squad has been an exemplary model to other teams.

Young Stars

Consider his emerging number 10 the newcomer who skipped over for the decisive touchdown that decisively broke the French windows. Additionally the scrum-half, another half-back with explosive speed and an more acute ability to spot openings. Naturally it is an advantage to play behind a gargantuan pack, with the powerful center adding physicality, but the steady transformation of the South African team from scowling heavyweights into a team who can also display finesse and sting like bees is hugely impressive.

French Flashes

However, it should not be thought that the home side were totally outclassed, notwithstanding their fading performance. The wing's later touchdown in the far side was a prime instance. The set-piece strength that tied in the visiting eight, the glorious long pass from Ramos and the try-scorer's execution into the perimeter signage all displayed the hallmarks of a team with considerable ability, even in the absence of their captain.

Yet that ultimately proved inadequate, which is a sobering thought for competing teams. It would be impossible, for instance, that the visitors could have trailed heavily to the Springboks and fought back in the way they did against the All Blacks. Despite the red rose's strong finish, there is a gap to close before the England team can be certain of facing the South African powerhouses with everything on the line.

Home Nations' Tests

Defeating an Pacific Island team posed difficulties on the weekend although the next encounter against the New Zealand will be the match that truly shapes their end-of-year series. The visitors are definitely still beatable, notably absent their key midfielder in their center, but when it comes to capitalizing on opportunities they continue to be a cut above almost all the northern hemisphere teams.

The Thistles were notably at fault of failing to hammer home the final nails and uncertainties still apply to England’s ideal backline blend. It is fine finishing games strongly – and infinitely better than succumbing at the death – but their notable winning sequence this year has so far included just a single victory over world-class sides, a narrow win over the French in February.

Future Prospects

Thus the importance of this upround. Analyzing the situation it would seem several changes are anticipated in the starting lineup, with key players returning to the lineup. Among the forwards, in the same way, regular starters should return from the beginning.

Yet perspective matters, in competition as in life. Between now and the upcoming world championship the {rest