Opinion divided on northern sweep
However, it has added fuel to the debate over whether the northerners have made up ground on the southerners on the rugby ladder, although for Ireland and France the answer was an unequivocal yes.
Brian O'Driscoll, Ireland's star centre, believed his side's first win over world champions Australia in 23 years, and first in 34 years at home, would stand them in great stead when they play them Down Under in the World Cup group stage next year.
"Getting this scalp prior to the World Cup will stand us in great stead," he said. Man of the match Victor Costello was more optimistic in his future outlook. "We are a new team, a team that is going forward.
"If we beat the world champions then of course we can build on it," he said.
Australian coach Eddie Jones also acknowledged that Ireland were edging closer to being a real threat for the World Cup, though whether they can translate a win at home on a rain-soaked pitch to the harder tracks of Australia could prove to be the vital factor.
"Any side that can play with the completeness as Ireland did is going to be a side teams will have to worry about in the World Cup," he said.
France's recalled playmaker Thomas Castaignede, who celebrated his first appearance in two years with a cheeky drop goal in the 30-10 dismantling of South Africa, employed the words of a famous Bob Dylan song to illustrate the swing in power over the weekend.
"The times they are a-changing," said the 27-year-old known as the 'Little Prince'.
"These results illustrate that the World Cup is wide open and this weekend was a fantastic landmark for the northern hemisphere ... hopefully not the high water mark," joked the Saracens star.
However, amid all the adulation Springbok coach Rudolf Straeuli said that caution should be the order of the day.
"Sure you saw a big difference between the northern and southern hemisphere sides this weekend but only for a day," said the former Springbok flanker.
"Conditions were a lot different for all three of us," added the 37-year-old, whose side take on Scotland on Saturday.
Press reaction was mixed as well at the significance of the historic results with England's 31-28 triumph over a New Zealand side deprived of several of their first choice scrum because they were resting at home causing the most debate.
A second set of victories this weekend, however, may well change the cautious optimism into something much more dangerous real confidence that the north can capture their first World Cup title and even better in the world champions nest.
The Wallabies must rebound from their dismal loss to Ireland without skipper George Gregan, who is on a round-the-world dash to be at the birth of his second child.
Jones was confident Gregan's trip wouldn't affect his, or the team's, game against England who beat New Zealand on Saturday.
"If it was anybody else but George I'd say yes. But he's a pretty resilient character," Jones said.
"George is very professional and will look after himself and hopefully a successful birth of a child can give you a bit of adrenaline."
New Zealand fly-half Carlos Spencer and centre Keith Lowen have been ruled out of Saturday's one-off test with France owing to injuries picked up in the 31-28 defeat by England.
Spencer has been forced out with a shoulder injury while Lowen has a groin injury.
The All Blacks have opted to call up centre Paul Steinmetz as a replacement for the match.
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