Erasmus's Coaching Scholarship Raises Springboks to New Heights

Some victories carry twofold importance in the lesson they communicate. Amid the flurry of weekend international rugby fixtures, it was the Saturday evening score in Paris that will linger most enduringly across the rugby world. Not only the end result, but equally the style of achievement. To suggest that South Africa overturned various widely-held assumptions would be an oversimplification of the calendar.

Unexpected Turnaround

Discard the notion, for instance, that the French team would rectify the injustice of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. Assuming that going into the closing stages with a narrow lead and an numerical superiority would translate into certain victory. Despite missing their key player Antoine Dupont, they still had sufficient resources to restrain the strong rivals at a distance.

Instead, it was a case of celebrating too soon before time. Having been 17-13 down, the South African side with a player sent off concluded with racking up 19 points without reply, reinforcing their reputation as a team who more and more save their best for the most challenging scenarios. If overpowering New Zealand in Wellington in earlier this year was a statement, now came definitive evidence that the leading international squad are cultivating an more robust mentality.

Pack Power

If anything, the coach's champion Bok forwards are beginning to make everyone else look less committed by juxtaposition. Both northern hemisphere teams both had their promising spells over the weekend but lacked entirely the same earthmovers that systematically dismantled the French pack to ruins in the last half-hour. Some promising young home nation players are emerging but, by the end, the encounter was men against boys.

What was perhaps even more striking was the mental strength underpinning it all. In the absence of their lock forward – given a 38th-minute straight red for a dangerous contact of Thomas Ramos – the Springboks could might well have lost their composure. On the contrary they simply circled the wagons and set about taking the disheartened French side to what one former French international described as “extreme physical pressure.”

Leadership and Inspiration

Following the match, having been borne aloft around the Stade de France on the immense frames of the lock pairing to mark his 100th cap, the Springbok captain, the inspirational figure, once again emphasized how a significant number of his team have been required to overcome life difficulties and how he wished his side would likewise continue to motivate fans.

The insightful an analyst also made an shrewd point on sports media, proposing that his results progressively make him the rugby coaching equivalent of the Manchester United great. In the event that the world champions succeed in secure another global trophy there will be no doubt whatsoever. Even if they fail to achieve it, the intelligent way in which the mentor has rejuvenated a possibly veteran squad has been an masterclass to other teams.

New Generation

Take for example his young playmaker the rising star who sprinted past for the late try that properly blew open the opposition line. And also the scrum-half, a second backline player with blistering pace and an even sharper eye for a gap. Naturally it is beneficial to have the support of a massive forward unit, with André Esterhuizen adding physicality, but the continuing evolution of the South African team from physically imposing units into a squad who can also display finesse and deliver telling blows is hugely impressive.

Glimpses of French Quality

Which is not to say that the home side were utterly overwhelmed, despite their limp finish. Damian Penaud’s additional score in the wing area was a clear example. The set-piece strength that occupied the visiting eight, the superb distribution from the full-back and the try-scorer's execution into the perimeter signage all demonstrated the hallmarks of a squad with significant talent, despite missing their captain.

But even that in the end was inadequate, which really is a humbling reality for competing teams. There is no way, for example, that the Scottish side could have gone 17-0 down to the world champions and mounted a comeback in the way they did versus New Zealand. Notwithstanding the English team's late resurgence, there remains a journey ahead before Steve Borthwick’s squad can be assured of facing the South African powerhouses with all at stake.

Northern Hemisphere Challenges

Overcoming an improving Fiji proved tricky enough on match day although the forthcoming clash against the All Blacks will be the match that truly shapes their end-of-year series. The All Blacks are definitely still beatable, notably absent their key midfielder in their center, but when it comes to taking their chances they continue to be a cut above almost all the European sides.

Scotland were particularly guilty of missing the chance to secure the decisive blows and question marks still hang over the red rose's perfect backline combination. It is acceptable performing in the final quarter – and much preferable than fading in the closing stages – but their admirable undefeated streak this year has so far featured only one win over world-class sides, a close result over the French in February.

Looking Ahead

Therefore the weight of this upround. Interpreting the signals it would appear a number of adjustments are likely in the matchday squad, with established stars coming back to the team. Up front, in the same way, first-choice players should return from the beginning.

Yet everything is relative, in sport as in life. In the lead-up to the upcoming world championship the {rest