Rassie Erasmus's Coaching Scholarship Elevates Springboks to Greater Levels

Some victories send twofold significance in the message they broadcast. Among the flurry of weekend international rugby fixtures, it was the Saturday evening result in the French capital that will linger longest across the rugby world. Not merely the final score, but equally the approach of success. To suggest that South Africa demolished various comfortable theories would be an understatement of the rugby year.

Unexpected Turnaround

So much for the notion, for instance, that France would make amends for the unfairness of their World Cup last-eight loss. The belief that entering the closing stages with a small margin and an additional player would translate into assumed success. Even in the absence of their talisman their scrum-half, they still had sufficient tranquiliser darts to keep the big beasts under control.

Instead, it was a case of assuming victory too early. Having been trailing by four points, the reduced Springboks finished by racking up 19 points without reply, reinforcing their reputation as a team who more and more save their best for the most challenging scenarios. Whereas beating New Zealand 43-10 in the last quarter was a declaration, this was clear demonstration that the top-ranked team are developing an greater resilience.

Pack Power

If anything, Erasmus's champion Bok forwards are increasingly make all other teams look less committed by juxtaposition. The Scottish and English sides each enjoyed their promising spells over the weekend but possessed nothing like the same earthmovers that systematically dismantled the French pack to ruins in the last half-hour. Several up-and-coming young French forwards are emerging but, by the end, Saturday night was men against boys.

Even more notable was the inner fortitude supporting it all. In the absence of their lock forward – issued a red card in the first half for a high tackle of the opposition kicker – the Springboks could potentially faltered. As it happened they just circled the wagons and set about taking the demoralized French side to what an ex-France player called “a place of suffering.”

Guidance and Example

Afterwards, having been carried around the venue on the immense frames of two key forwards to honor his hundredth Test, the Springbok captain, the inspirational figure, once again stressed how several of his squad have been required to rise above personal challenges and how he aspired his team would in the same way continue to motivate people.

The perceptive David Flatman also made an perceptive observation on television, proposing that Erasmus’s record more and more make him the rugby coaching equivalent of the legendary football manager. If South Africa do go on to win a third successive World Cup there will be no doubt whatsoever. Should they fall short, the clever way in which the mentor has rejuvenated a experienced team has been an exemplary model to other teams.

Emerging Talent

Look no further than his young playmaker the rising star who skipped over for the decisive touchdown that decisively broke the home defense. And also the scrum-half, another playmaker with explosive speed and an keener eye for a gap. Undoubtedly it helps to operate behind a dominant set of forwards, with André Esterhuizen riding shotgun, but the continuing evolution of the Boks from intimidating giants into a team who can also display finesse and strike decisively is remarkable.

French Flashes

Which is not to say that France were completely dominated, in spite of their weak ending. Damian Penaud’s additional score in the wing area was a prime instance. The set-piece strength that tied in the visiting eight, the excellent wide ball from the playmaker and the try-scorer's execution into the sideline boards all exhibited the hallmarks of a side with considerable ability, despite missing their star man.

However, that ultimately proved not enough, which truly represents a sobering thought for competing teams. It is inconceivable, for example, that the visitors could have gone 17-0 down to South Africa and mounted a comeback in the way they did in their fixture. Despite England’s last-quarter improvement, there remains a distance to travel before the England team can be confident of competing with the world's top team with all at stake.

Home Nations' Tests

Beating an improving Fiji was challenging on match day although the forthcoming clash against the New Zealand will be the contest that truly shapes their end-of-year series. New Zealand are certainly vulnerable, especially missing an influential back in their midfield, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they remain a step ahead the majority of the home unions.

The Scottish team were especially culpable of missing the chance to secure the final nails and uncertainties still surround England’s ideal backline blend. It is acceptable ending matches well – and far superior than losing them late on – but their admirable nine-match unbeaten run this year has so far shown just one success over elite-level teams, a close result over France in earlier in the year.

Looking Ahead

Therefore the importance of this coming Saturday. Interpreting the signals it would look like several changes are anticipated in the matchday squad, with established stars being reinstated to the side. Among the forwards, likewise, first-choice players should all be back from the start.

Yet context is key, in competition as in existence. In the lead-up to the next global tournament the {rest