Leinster's winning run came to an end this day last week but Will Connors reckons the 21-20 loss to Bulls will stand to the team in the long run.
The manner of the defeat, to a kick off a scrum penalty five minutes over time, hurt, but while a 16-game winning streak is nice and all that, it pales against the bigger picture.
Leo Cullen knew that Leinster, such is their lead at the top of the URC, would still be top dogs no matter what happened in South Africa and they’ve already improved on last season’s return by picking up a bonus point.
Once again, they travelled to the Rainbow Nation minus most of their Ireland players and that they came so close to a 17th win says a lot about the strength in depth at the province, who take on the Sharks at 5.15pm this afternoon (live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player).
They started nine full internationals last weekend and just came up short.
The hosts scored two maul tries and two of their penalties came off scrums.
The test Leinster got in Pretoria last week was one they expected and wanted, said Connors (below), who made 13 tackles in a player of the match showing.
"We prepared for that kind of game," the 28-year-old told RTÉ Sport.
"We knew it was going to be physical, attritional, and it felt every bit of that, even when you bring in the altitude to it.
"It's a proper battle, and that's what it felt like for the full 80 minutes.
"The Bulls never let their foot off the gas."
While many of the pack might not start in a Champions Cup semi-final or final, building the experience for players who could find themselves in action at the business end is vital.
"I think through my few years now of professional rugby, there's really more value sometimes in losing," added the Kildare man.
"Sometimes winning can cover up cracks. Not that there's been cracks, but you know what I mean.
"There's a lot of valuable lessons in that game. That's why this week there's a lot for us to address, like huge focus on our maul and areas like that.
"We still have a lot of growth in this group and it's a young group as well.
"When you bring a young group over like this, it's a hugely beneficial two weeks.
"There's lads here that are 19-20 and the learnings they're getting from this is huge.
"Even for some of the older heads, like myself, being in South Africa, you're playing up against Test-quality teams."
The Bulls had Sebastian de Klerk (below) sent off for a dangerous tackle on Andrew Osborne, who was lucky to escape injury after being taken out in the air.
The full-back will miss two matches for his sins.
Connors also needed treatment for the no-arms tackle that led to prop Alulutho Tshakweni being sent to the sin-bin.
Asked if he felt Bulls crossed the line, Connors, who won the last of his nine Ireland caps in 2021, said: "To be honest, it works both ways. That's the thing, the game, there is that kind of edge to it.
"And I think that's the beauty of it as well."
Connors expects more beautiful things this afternoon at Kings Park where the Sharks will aim to send Leinster home with a second defeat of the season, keen to make up for some loose defending that almost cost them victory last Saturday.
John Plumtree’s side, inspired by Siya Kolisi (above), came out the right side of a 35-34 thriller against Zebre.
"They have a bit of everything," said Connors, who will face a pack containing Springboks stars Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi and Vincent Koch.
"They have some big heavy forwards as well as lightning quick backs.
"It'll be another familiar face there with [former Leinster lock] Jason Jenkins. It'll be good to see him out there.
"We're expecting much of the same as the weekend.
"Really good set piece and we have to meet them head on there and, match them if not go better there again."
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