Rassie Erasmus's Coaching Scholarship Elevates Springboks to New Heights

Some victories send double weight in the message they convey. Within the flood of weekend rugby Tests, it was Saturday night's outcome in the French capital that will resonate most profoundly across the rugby world. Not just the final score, but the way the manner of victory. To say that South Africa overturned various widely-held assumptions would be an understatement of the calendar.

Shifting Momentum

Forget about the notion, for instance, that France would avenge the injustice of their World Cup elimination. Assuming that going into the final quarter with a slight advantage and an additional player would result in certain victory. That even without their star man their captain, they still had sufficient resources to keep the powerful opponents safely at bay.

As it turned out, it was a case of assuming victory prematurely. Having been trailing by four points, the reduced Springboks finished by racking up 19 points without reply, reinforcing their standing as a team who more and more deliver their finest rugby for the toughest circumstances. Whereas beating New Zealand 43-10 in September was a declaration, here was conclusive proof that the world’s No 1 side are cultivating an greater resilience.

Forward Dominance

In fact, the coach's champion Bok forwards are starting to make everyone else look laissez-faire by contrast. The Scottish and English sides experienced their promising spells over the two-day period but lacked entirely the same earthmovers that effectively reduced France to rubble in the final thirty minutes. Some promising young French forwards are developing but, by the final whistle, the match was a mismatch in experience.

What was perhaps even more striking was the psychological resilience driving it all. Missing Lood de Jager – issued a 38th-minute straight red for a high tackle of Thomas Ramos – the Boks could easily have lost their composure. On the contrary they merely regrouped and proceeded to pulling the deflated boys in blue to what one former French international called “a place of suffering.”

Captaincy and Motivation

Afterwards, having been carried around the venue on the immense frames of the lock pairing to honor his hundredth Test, the team leader, the flanker, yet again emphasized how a significant number of his players have been obliged to rise above personal challenges and how he hoped his side would similarly continue to encourage people.

The perceptive David Flatman also made an perceptive point on sports media, suggesting that his results increasingly make him the rugby coaching equivalent of the legendary football manager. If South Africa succeed in claim a third straight world title there will be absolute certainty. In case they fail to achieve it, the clever way in which the coach has rejuvenated a potentially ageing roster has been an masterclass to all.

New Generation

Consider his young playmaker the rising star who sprinted past for the decisive touchdown that effectively shattered the opposition line. And also another half-back, another half-back with explosive speed and an more acute ability to spot openings. Undoubtedly it is an advantage to have the support of a gargantuan pack, with André Esterhuizen riding shotgun, but the ongoing metamorphosis of the South African team from scowling heavyweights into a team who can also move with agility and strike decisively is extraordinary.

Glimpses of French Quality

This is not to imply that the French team were completely dominated, notwithstanding their weak ending. Their winger's second try in the far side was a good illustration. The set-piece strength that tied in the visiting eight, the superb distribution from Ramos and the try-scorer's execution into the advertising hoardings all demonstrated the characteristics of a side with significant talent, without their captain.

Yet that in the end was insufficient, which is a daunting prospect for everybody else. It is inconceivable, for instance, that Scotland could have gone 17-0 down to South Africa and mounted a comeback in the way they did in their fixture. Despite England’s strong finish, there still exists a journey ahead before the England team can be certain of competing with Erasmus’s green-clad giants with all at stake.

Home Nations' Tests

Beating an improving Fiji proved tricky enough on Saturday although the upcoming showdown against the New Zealand will be the contest that accurately reflects their autumn. New Zealand are not invincible, notably absent an influential back in their center, but when it comes to taking their chances they continue to be a level above most the home unions.

The Thistles were especially culpable of missing the chance to secure the decisive blows and uncertainties still hang over the English side's perfect backline combination. It is acceptable finishing games strongly – and much preferable than fading in the closing stages – but their commendable undefeated streak this year has so far shown just one success over elite-level teams, a one-point home victory over Les Bleus in the winter.

Looking Ahead

Hence the importance of this next weekend. Reading between the lines it would seem several changes are likely in the matchday squad, with experienced individuals returning to the lineup. In the pack, similarly, familiar faces should be included from the outset.

Yet context is key, in competition as in existence. In the lead-up to the upcoming world championship the {rest