Erasmus's Coaching Expertise Raises Springboks to Greater Levels

Certain wins carry twofold significance in the statement they communicate. Among the flood of weekend Test matches, it was Saturday night's outcome in Paris that will echo most profoundly across the rugby world. Not just the conclusion, but equally the style of achievement. To suggest that the Springboks shattered various widely-held beliefs would be an oversimplification of the rugby year.

Unexpected Turnaround

Forget about the idea, for instance, that France would rectify the disappointment of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. That entering the final quarter with a slight advantage and an additional player would lead to inevitable glory. Despite missing their key player their captain, they still had sufficient resources to contain the strong rivals safely at bay.

Instead, it was a case of assuming victory before time. Initially 17-13 down, the 14-man Boks ended up registering 19 consecutive points, strengthening their status as a team who more and more save their best for the most challenging scenarios. While beating New Zealand 43-10 in earlier this year was a message, now came conclusive proof that the leading international squad are developing an even thicker skin.

Pack Power

If anything, the coach's title-winning pack are starting to make opposing sides look laissez-faire by juxtaposition. The Scottish and English sides each enjoyed their moments over the recent fixtures but possessed nothing like the same dominant forwards that effectively reduced the French pack to landfill in the final thirty minutes. Several up-and-coming young home nation players are emerging but, by the end, the match was men against boys.

Perhaps most impressive 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 French full-back – the South Africans could easily have lost their composure. Instead they merely united and began taking the disheartened French side to what a retired hooker referred to as “extreme physical pressure.”

Leadership and Inspiration

Post-game, having been borne aloft around the Stade de France on the powerful backs of Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman to mark his 100th cap, the team leader, the flanker, repeatedly highlighted how many of his team have been needed to conquer off-field adversity and how he wished his side would likewise continue to inspire people.

The ever-sage David Flatman also made an astute point on television, suggesting that his results progressively make him the rugby coaching equivalent of the Manchester United great. If South Africa do go on to win a third successive World Cup there will be no doubt whatsoever. In case they fail to achieve it, the clever way in which Erasmus has revitalized a potentially ageing team has been an object lesson to all.

New Generation

Look no further than his emerging number 10 the newcomer who skipped over for the late try that properly blew open the French windows. Additionally another half-back, a second playmaker with lightning acceleration and an even sharper eye for a gap. Undoubtedly it helps to operate behind a dominant set of forwards, with the inside back riding shotgun, but the ongoing metamorphosis of the Boks from physically imposing units into a side who can also display finesse and sting like bees is extraordinary.

Glimpses of French Quality

Which is not to say that the French team were totally outclassed, despite their limp finish. Damian Penaud’s additional score in the right corner was a good illustration. The forward dominance that engaged the Bok forwards, the superb distribution from the playmaker and the winger's clinical finish into the sideline boards all demonstrated the characteristics of a team with significant talent, despite missing Dupont.

Yet that turned out to be insufficient, which truly represents a sobering thought for everybody else. There is no way, for example, that the visitors could have gone 17-0 down to the Springboks and come galloping back in the way they did against the All Blacks. Notwithstanding the English team's strong finish, there is a gap to close before the England team can be assured of standing up to Erasmus’s green-clad giants with all at stake.

Home Nations' Tests

Beating an developing Fijian side was challenging on the weekend although the forthcoming clash against the the Kiwis will be the contest that accurately reflects their autumn. The All Blacks are certainly vulnerable, particularly without their key midfielder in their midfield, but when it comes to taking their chances they are still a level above most the northern hemisphere teams.

The Thistles were especially culpable of not finishing off the decisive blows and doubts still surround the red rose's ideal backline blend. It is all very well finishing games strongly – and far superior than losing them late on – but their admirable nine-match unbeaten run this year has so far included just a single victory over top-drawer opposition, a one-point home victory over France in February.

Next Steps

Therefore the importance of this next weekend. Interpreting the signals it would appear several changes are anticipated in the team selection, with experienced individuals being reinstated to the lineup. Among the forwards, similarly, first-choice players should be included from the start.

However perspective matters, in sport as in reality. From now until the upcoming world championship the {rest