Rassie Erasmus's Coaching Scholarship Elevates Springboks to New Heights

A number of triumphs carry dual importance in the statement they broadcast. Amid the flurry of weekend rugby Tests, it was Saturday night's result in Paris that will linger most enduringly across the globe. Not merely the conclusion, but the way the style of victory. To claim that the Springboks overturned several comfortable assumptions would be an understatement of the season.

Shifting Momentum

So much for the notion, for instance, that the French team would make amends for the disappointment of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. The belief that entering the closing stages with a small margin and an extra man would lead to inevitable glory. Despite missing their talisman Antoine Dupont, they still had ample tranquiliser darts to restrain the big beasts under control.

Instead, it was a case of celebrating too soon too early. Having been behind on the scoreboard, the South African side with a player sent off ended up registering 19 consecutive points, reinforcing their reputation as a squad who increasingly deliver their finest rugby for the toughest circumstances. If overpowering New Zealand in Wellington in earlier this year was a declaration, here was definitive evidence that the world’s No 1 side are developing an more robust mentality.

Pack Power

Actually, Erasmus's champion Bok forwards are increasingly make opposing sides look laissez-faire by juxtaposition. The Scottish and English sides each enjoyed their moments over the two-day period but did not have the same powerful carriers that systematically dismantled the home side to landfill in the final thirty minutes. Several up-and-coming young home nation players are developing but, by the conclusion, the match was hommes contre garçons.

Even more notable was the mental strength driving it all. Without the second-rower – shown a red card in the first half for a high tackle of the opposition kicker – the Springboks could might well have faltered. Instead they merely united and proceeded to pulling the deflated boys in blue to what one former French international referred to as “a place of suffering.”

Guidance and Example

Post-game, having been hoisted around the Parisian stadium on the powerful backs of two key forwards to celebrate his hundredth Test, the team leader, the inspirational figure, yet again emphasized how a significant number of his team have been obliged to conquer off-field adversity and how he aspired his team would similarly continue to motivate people.

The perceptive David Flatman also made an perceptive point on television, suggesting that the coach's achievements increasingly make him the parallel figure of Sir Alex Ferguson. If South Africa succeed in win a third successive World Cup there will be absolute certainty. Should they fail to achieve it, the clever way in which the mentor has revitalized a possibly veteran team has been an exemplary model to everyone.

New Generation

Consider his emerging number 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who sprinted past for the closing score that decisively broke the French windows. And also Grant Williams, another backline player with blistering pace and an even sharper eye for a gap. Undoubtedly it helps to operate behind a gargantuan pack, with André Esterhuizen riding shotgun, but the continuing evolution of the South African team from physically imposing units into a team who can also display finesse and sting like bees is remarkable.

Glimpses of French Quality

This is not to imply that France were utterly overwhelmed, despite their weak ending. Their winger's later touchdown in the far side was a prime instance. The power up front that engaged the South African pack, the superb distribution from the playmaker and the winger's clinical finish into the sideline boards all exhibited the hallmarks of a squad with considerable ability, despite missing Dupont.

But even that ultimately proved insufficient, which is a sobering thought for competing teams. There is no way, for example, that the visitors could have gone 17-0 down to the world champions and come galloping back in the way they did against the All Blacks. And for all England’s late resurgence, there still exists a journey ahead before the national side can be certain of competing with the South African powerhouses with all at stake.

Home Nations' Tests

Overcoming an improving Fiji posed difficulties on the weekend although the upcoming showdown against the All Blacks will be the match that truly shapes their November Tests. New Zealand are certainly vulnerable, notably absent their key midfielder in their midfield, but when it comes to capitalizing on opportunities they are still a cut above almost all the European sides.

Scotland were particularly guilty of failing to hammer home the final nails and doubts still apply to England’s ideal backline blend. It is all very well finishing games strongly – and far superior than fading in the closing stages – but their notable winning sequence this year has so far featured only one win over top-drawer opposition, a close result over France in the winter.

Next Steps

Thus the weight of this next weekend. Interpreting the signals it would look like a number of adjustments are anticipated in the starting lineup, with key players returning to the lineup. Among the forwards, similarly, regular starters should all be back from the start.

But context is key, in competition as in life. From now until the upcoming world championship the {rest