Rassie Erasmus's Coaching Scholarship Raises Springboks to New Heights

A number of triumphs deliver dual significance in the message they communicate. Among the barrage of weekend Test matches, it was the Saturday evening outcome in the French capital that will echo most enduringly across the globe. Not only the final score, but the way the approach of achievement. To suggest that the Springboks demolished several widely-held theories would be an oversimplification of the rugby year.

Shifting Momentum

Forget about the theory, for instance, that France would make amends for the unfairness of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. That entering the closing stages with a narrow lead and an numerical superiority would translate into assumed success. That even without their talisman Antoine Dupont, they still had more than enough strategies to contain the big beasts under control.

Instead, it was a case of celebrating too soon before time. After being 17-13 down, the South African side with a player sent off ended up racking up 19 points without reply, reinforcing their status as a side who more and more save their best for the most demanding scenarios. Whereas overpowering New Zealand in Wellington in September was a statement, this was clear demonstration that the leading international squad are cultivating an more robust mentality.

Set-Piece Superiority

If anything, the coach's champion Bok forwards are increasingly make opposing sides look less committed by juxtaposition. Both northern hemisphere teams each enjoyed their promising spells over the recent fixtures but lacked entirely the same powerful carriers that thoroughly overwhelmed France to landfill in the final thirty minutes. Some promising young French forwards are developing but, by the end, Saturday night was a mismatch in experience.

Even more notable was the mental strength underpinning it all. In the absence of their lock forward – issued a red card in the first half for a dangerous contact of the French full-back – the South Africans could potentially become disorganized. On the contrary they simply circled the wagons and set about dragging the deflated boys in blue to what one former French international called “a place of suffering.”

Captaincy and Motivation

Following the match, having been borne aloft around the Stade de France on the immense frames of the lock pairing to celebrate his century of appearances, the South African skipper, the inspirational figure, repeatedly highlighted how many of his players have been needed to overcome personal challenges and how he aspired his side would similarly continue to motivate fans.

The perceptive an analyst also made an perceptive comment on broadcast, suggesting that the coach's achievements more and more make him the rugby's version of Sir Alex Ferguson. Should the Springboks manage to secure another global trophy there will be absolute certainty. In case they fall short, the intelligent way in which the mentor has refreshed a potentially ageing roster has been an masterclass to other teams.

Emerging Talent

Look no further than his young playmaker Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who darted through for the closing score that decisively broke the French windows. And also the scrum-half, a further backline player with explosive speed and an even sharper eye for a gap. Undoubtedly it helps to play behind a massive forward unit, with the powerful center riding shotgun, but the steady transformation of the Boks from intimidating giants into a side who can also display finesse and sting like bees is extraordinary.

Home Side's Moments

Which is not to say that the French team were utterly overwhelmed, notwithstanding their limp finish. Their winger's later touchdown in the right corner was a prime instance. The set-piece strength that occupied the Bok forwards, the excellent wide ball from the playmaker and the winger's clinical finish into the advertising hoardings all demonstrated the characteristics of a team with significant talent, without their captain.

But even that turned out to be inadequate, which truly represents a sobering thought for competing teams. It is inconceivable, for instance, that Scotland could have trailed heavily to the Springboks and come galloping back in the way they did against the All Blacks. Despite England’s late resurgence, there remains a journey ahead before the England team can be assured of competing with Erasmus’s green-clad giants with everything on the line.

European Prospects

Defeating an Pacific Island team posed difficulties on the weekend although the upcoming showdown against the New Zealand will be the contest that properly defines their autumn. The All Blacks are not invincible, particularly without their key midfielder in their midfield, but when it comes to taking their chances they are still a step ahead almost all the home unions.

The Thistles were notably at fault of not finishing off the final nails and uncertainties still apply to England’s optimal back division. It is acceptable finishing games strongly – and far superior than fading in the closing stages – but their notable winning sequence this year has so far shown just one success over top-drawer opposition, a narrow win over the French in February.

Looking Ahead

Therefore the weight of this next weekend. Analyzing the situation it would appear a number of adjustments are anticipated in the team selection, with experienced individuals coming back to the team. In the pack, likewise, familiar faces should return from the start.

But perspective matters, in competition as in existence. From now until the upcoming world championship the {rest