Rassie Erasmus's Coaching Scholarship Raises Springboks to New Heights

Some victories deliver twofold importance in the message they broadcast. Amid the flurry of weekend Test matches, it was Saturday night's result in Paris that will resonate most profoundly across both hemispheres. Not only the final score, but also the style of success. To suggest that the Springboks overturned various comfortable assumptions would be an modest description of the rugby year.

Surprising Comeback

Forget about the notion, for example, that France would avenge the unfairness of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. That entering the last period with a small margin and an numerical superiority would result in assumed success. That even without their star man their scrum-half, they still had sufficient tranquiliser darts to contain the big beasts safely at bay.

On the contrary, it was a case of assuming victory too early. After being behind on the scoreboard, the reduced Springboks concluded with scoring 19 unanswered points, reinforcing their status as a squad who more and more save their best for the most demanding circumstances. While defeating the All Blacks by a large margin in earlier this year was a declaration, now came conclusive proof that the world’s No 1 side are building an greater resilience.

Set-Piece Superiority

In fact, Erasmus's title-winning pack are starting to make opposing sides look less intense by comparison. Scotland and England both had their moments over the recent fixtures but lacked entirely the same earthmovers that thoroughly overwhelmed the French pack to ruins in the last half-hour. Some promising young France's pack members are developing but, by the end, Saturday night was men against boys.

Perhaps most impressive was the mental strength underpinning it all. Without the second-rower – given a 38th-minute straight red for a dangerous contact of the French full-back – the Boks could potentially lost their composure. Instead they just circled the wagons and began dragging the demoralized French side to what a retired hooker called “a place of suffering.”

Guidance and Example

Afterwards, having been hoisted around the Parisian stadium on the immense frames of the lock pairing to celebrate his century of appearances, the Springbok captain, the inspirational figure, yet again emphasized how a significant number of his team have been needed to rise above personal challenges and how he aspired his squad would in the same way continue to encourage people.

The insightful David Flatman also made an shrewd comment on broadcast, suggesting that his results progressively make him the parallel figure of the legendary football manager. Should the Springboks manage to secure another global trophy there will be absolute certainty. In case they come up short, the smart way in which the coach has refreshed a potentially ageing squad has been an exemplary model to everyone.

Young Stars

Look no further than his 23-year-old fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who sprinted past for the closing score that decisively broke the opposition line. Or another half-back, another backline player with blistering pace and an more acute vision for space. Undoubtedly it is beneficial to operate behind a dominant set of forwards, with the inside back providing support, but the ongoing metamorphosis of the South African team from scowling heavyweights into a squad who can also move with agility and sting like bees is extraordinary.

Home Side's Moments

However, it should not be thought that France were totally outclassed, in spite of their weak ending. The wing's second try in the right corner was a prime instance. The set-piece strength that tied in the South African pack, the excellent wide ball from Ramos and the try-scorer's execution into the sideline boards all displayed the traits of a squad with considerable ability, even in the absence of Dupont.

Yet that turned out to be insufficient, which truly represents a daunting prospect for all other nations. It would be impossible, for instance, that Scotland could have fallen behind by 17 points to the world champions and fought back in the way they did against the All Blacks. Notwithstanding England’s strong finish, there remains a journey ahead before Steve Borthwick’s squad can be assured of facing Erasmus’s green-clad giants with high stakes.

European Prospects

Beating an Pacific Island team posed difficulties on Saturday although the forthcoming clash against the All Blacks will be the match that truly shapes their autumn. The visitors are definitely still beatable, particularly without an influential back in their midfield, but when it comes to capitalizing on opportunities they remain a cut above almost all the European sides.

Scotland were notably at fault of not finishing off the killing points and uncertainties still hang over England’s ideal backline blend. It is fine ending matches well – and much preferable than losing them late on – but their notable nine-match unbeaten run this year has so far featured only one win over world-class sides, a narrow win over the French in the winter.

Future Prospects

Hence the weight of this coming Saturday. Analyzing the situation it would appear several changes are likely in the matchday squad, with established stars being reinstated to the lineup. Up front, likewise, regular starters should all be back from the start.

However everything is relative, in sport as in life. Between now and the next global tournament the {rest