Erasmus's Mentoring Expertise Raises Springboks to New Heights

Certain wins send double significance in the message they communicate. Among the flood of weekend Test matches, it was Saturday night's score in the French capital that will resonate most enduringly across the rugby world. Not merely the end result, but equally the manner of achievement. To claim that the Springboks demolished various widely-held assumptions would be an oversimplification of the calendar.

Unexpected Turnaround

Forget about the notion, for instance, that the French team would rectify the disappointment of their World Cup elimination. That entering the closing stages with a narrow lead and an extra man would result in assumed success. That even without their key player Antoine Dupont, they still had more than enough resources to keep the powerful opponents under control.

Instead, it was a case of counting their poulets prematurely. Initially 17-13 down, the reduced Springboks ended up registering 19 consecutive points, strengthening their standing as a team who increasingly save their best for the most demanding circumstances. If overpowering New Zealand in Wellington in September was a statement, here was definitive evidence that the top-ranked team are building an more robust mentality.

Set-Piece Superiority

If anything, the coach's champion Bok forwards are starting to make everyone else look laissez-faire by contrast. The Scottish and English sides experienced their periods of promise over the weekend but did not have the same dominant forwards that effectively reduced France to rubble in the final thirty minutes. Some promising young France's pack members are coming through but, by the final whistle, the match was men against boys.

What was perhaps even more striking was the psychological resilience driving it all. In the absence of Lood de Jager – issued a dismissal before halftime for a shoulder to the head of Thomas Ramos – the Boks could might well have become disorganized. On the contrary they merely circled the wagons and proceeded to dragging the demoralized French side to what an ex-France player referred to as “extreme physical pressure.”

Leadership and Inspiration

Afterwards, having been borne aloft around the Stade de France on the powerful backs of Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman to celebrate his century of appearances, the team leader, Siya Kolisi, yet again highlighted how many of his team have been obliged to rise above personal challenges and how he wished his squad would likewise continue to motivate fans.

The insightful David Flatman also made an shrewd observation on sports media, proposing that the coach's achievements increasingly make him the rugby coaching equivalent of the legendary football manager. If South Africa succeed in secure another global trophy there will be complete assurance. Even if they fail to achieve it, the smart way in which Erasmus has revitalized a possibly veteran squad has been an object lesson to all.

Emerging Talent

Consider his 23-year-old fly-half the rising star who skipped over for the decisive touchdown that effectively shattered the French windows. And also Grant Williams, a second backline player with blistering pace and an more acute eye for a gap. Naturally it is an advantage to play behind a gargantuan pack, with André Esterhuizen providing support, but the steady transformation of the Springboks from scowling heavyweights into a side who can also display finesse and strike decisively is remarkable.

Home Side's Moments

Which is not to say that the French team were utterly overwhelmed, in spite of their weak ending. The wing's later touchdown in the wing area was a good illustration. The forward dominance that tied in the visiting eight, the superb distribution from the full-back and the try-scorer's execution into the perimeter signage all displayed the traits of a side with notable skill, without their star man.

Yet that in the end was not enough, which really is a daunting prospect for competing teams. There is no way, for example, that Scotland could have trailed heavily to South Africa and fought back in the way they did against the All Blacks. Despite the English team's late resurgence, there remains a gap to close before Steve Borthwick’s squad can be assured of competing with the South African powerhouses with everything on the line.

Home Nations' Tests

Defeating an Pacific Island team was challenging on Saturday although the next encounter against the New Zealand will be the contest that properly defines their autumn. The All Blacks are definitely still beatable, particularly without their key midfielder in their backline, but when it comes to taking their chances they remain a level above almost all the European sides.

The Scottish team were especially culpable of failing to hammer home the killing points and question marks still hang over the English side's perfect backline combination. It is fine performing in the final quarter – and much preferable than fading in the closing stages – but their notable winning sequence this year has so far included just a single victory over top-drawer opposition, a narrow win over France in February.

Next Steps

Therefore the weight of this coming Saturday. Analyzing the situation it would appear a number of adjustments are likely in the team selection, with key players returning to the team. Up front, likewise, regular starters should be included from the outset.

Yet context is key, in competition as in reality. From now until the upcoming world championship the {rest