Erasmus's Mentoring Expertise Raises South Africa to New Heights

A number of triumphs carry double importance in the message they communicate. Among the barrage of weekend Test matches, it was the Saturday evening score in Paris that will echo most enduringly across the globe. Not just the final score, but equally the approach of victory. To say that South Africa demolished various comfortable beliefs would be an understatement of the rugby year.

Surprising Comeback

Discard the theory, for example, that the French team would avenge the disappointment of their World Cup last-eight loss. That entering the closing stages with a small margin and an numerical superiority would result in certain victory. Even in the absence of their star man their captain, they still had sufficient tranquiliser darts to restrain the big beasts at a distance.

As it turned out, it was a case of counting their poulets before time. Having been trailing by four points, the reduced Springboks finished by racking up 19 points without reply, strengthening their standing as a team who increasingly deliver their finest rugby for the most demanding situations. If overpowering New Zealand in Wellington in earlier this year was a message, this was clear demonstration that the world’s No 1 side are developing an more robust mentality.

Pack Power

If anything, the coach's title-winning pack are starting to make opposing sides look laissez-faire by contrast. Both northern hemisphere teams each enjoyed their periods of promise over the two-day period but lacked entirely the same powerful carriers that systematically dismantled the home side to ruins in the last half-hour. Some promising young French forwards are emerging but, by the end, the encounter was hommes contre garçons.

Even more notable was the psychological resilience supporting it all. In the absence of Lood de Jager – given a red card in the first half for a high tackle of Thomas Ramos – the South Africans could potentially lost their composure. As it happened they simply circled the wagons and began pulling the demoralized boys in blue to what one former French international described as “extreme physical pressure.”

Guidance and Example

Afterwards, having been borne aloft around the Parisian stadium on the powerful backs of the lock pairing to celebrate his century of appearances, the team leader, the flanker, once again stressed how a significant number of his squad have been obliged to overcome personal challenges and how he hoped his squad would in the same way continue to inspire others.

The perceptive David Flatman also made an astute comment on television, stating that the coach's achievements increasingly make him the rugby's version of Sir Alex Ferguson. In the event that the world champions do go on to win a third successive World Cup there will be no doubt whatsoever. Even if they come up short, the smart way in which Erasmus has rejuvenated a possibly veteran team has been an exemplary model to all.

New Generation

Look no further than his young playmaker the newcomer who darted through for the decisive touchdown that properly blew open the home defense. Additionally another half-back, another half-back with blistering pace and an keener ability to spot openings. Undoubtedly it is beneficial to operate behind a dominant set of forwards, with the powerful center riding shotgun, but the steady transformation of the Springboks from scowling heavyweights into a side who can also display finesse and sting like bees is hugely impressive.

French Flashes

This is not to imply that the home side were totally outclassed, in spite of their fading performance. The wing's additional score in the right corner was a prime instance. The set-piece strength that tied in the Bok forwards, the excellent wide ball from Ramos and the try-scorer's execution into the perimeter signage all demonstrated the traits of a team with significant talent, without their star man.

But even that in the end was inadequate, which is a humbling reality for competing teams. There is no way, for example, that Scotland could have fallen behind by 17 points to South Africa and mounted a comeback in the way they did in their fixture. And for all the English team's last-quarter improvement, there remains a journey ahead before the national side can be certain of standing up to Erasmus’s green-clad giants with all at stake.

Home Nations' Tests

Overcoming an developing Fijian side posed difficulties on match day although the upcoming showdown against the All Blacks will be the match that properly defines their November Tests. New Zealand are certainly vulnerable, particularly without Jordie Barrett in their midfield, but when it comes to capitalizing on opportunities they continue to be a step ahead the majority of the northern hemisphere teams.

The Scottish team were especially culpable of missing the chance to secure the decisive blows and question marks still hang over the English side's optimal back division. It is fine performing in the final quarter – and far superior than succumbing at the death – but their notable winning sequence this year has so far shown just one success over top-drawer opposition, a one-point home victory over Les Bleus in the winter.

Next Steps

Thus the weight of this upround. Analyzing the situation it would look like several changes are likely in the starting lineup, with established stars coming back to the lineup. Up front, in the same way, familiar faces should all be back from the start.

However context is key, in competition as in existence. Between now and the upcoming world championship the {rest