Rassie Erasmus's Coaching Scholarship Elevates Springboks to Greater Levels

A number of triumphs carry twofold significance in the lesson they broadcast. Among the flood of weekend international rugby fixtures, it was Saturday night's score in Paris that will linger longest across both hemispheres. Not only the final score, but equally the manner of achievement. To say that the Springboks overturned several widely-held beliefs would be an oversimplification of the season.

Surprising Comeback

Discard the notion, for example, that France would avenge the disappointment of their World Cup last-eight loss. Assuming that going into the final quarter with a narrow lead and an additional player would result in inevitable glory. Despite missing their talisman their scrum-half, they still had more than enough tranquiliser darts to contain the powerful opponents under control.

On the contrary, it was a case of assuming victory too early. Having been behind on the scoreboard, the reduced Springboks finished by scoring 19 unanswered points, reinforcing their standing as a team who consistently reserve their top performance for the toughest scenarios. If defeating the All Blacks by a large margin in the last quarter was a declaration, now came clear demonstration that the world’s No 1 side are cultivating an more robust mentality.

Forward Dominance

If anything, Erasmus's title-winning pack are beginning to make all other teams look laissez-faire by comparison. Both northern hemisphere teams each enjoyed their moments over the two-day period but lacked entirely the same dominant forwards that effectively reduced the French pack to rubble in the final thirty minutes. A number of talented young France's pack members are coming through but, by the final whistle, Saturday night was men against boys.

What was perhaps even more striking was the psychological resilience driving it all. Missing Lood de Jager – issued a red card in the first half for a dangerous contact of the opposition kicker – the Boks could easily have become disorganized. On the contrary they simply circled the wagons and began pulling the demoralized home team to what a retired hooker called “the hurt locker.”

Guidance and Example

Post-game, having been carried around the venue on the immense frames of the lock pairing to mark his century of appearances, the team leader, the inspirational figure, repeatedly stressed how a significant number of his players have been required to overcome off-field adversity and how he wished his team would in the same way continue to inspire fans.

The perceptive a commentator also made an shrewd point on broadcast, suggesting that the coach's achievements progressively make him the parallel figure of the Manchester United great. In the event that the world champions manage to win a third successive World Cup there will be complete assurance. Even if they fall short, the clever way in which the coach has refreshed a experienced squad has been an exemplary model to everyone.

Emerging Talent

Consider his 23-year-old fly-half the newcomer who darted through for the decisive touchdown that decisively broke the home defense. And also another half-back, another playmaker with lightning acceleration and an more acute vision for space. Naturally it is an advantage to operate behind a massive forward unit, with the inside back providing support, but the steady transformation of the Boks from scowling heavyweights into a team who can also move with agility and strike decisively is hugely impressive.

French Flashes

This is not to imply that the French team were totally outclassed, in spite of their fading performance. Damian Penaud’s later touchdown in the wing area was a prime instance. The power up front that occupied the South African pack, the excellent wide ball from the full-back and the winger's clinical finish into the perimeter signage all displayed the traits of a side with notable skill, without Dupont.

Yet that in the end was inadequate, which is a daunting prospect for everybody else. It would be impossible, for example, that Scotland could have fallen behind by 17 points to the Springboks and mounted a comeback in the way they did against the All Blacks. Despite the English team's strong finish, there remains a gap to close before the England team can be certain of competing with the world's top team with high stakes.

European Prospects

Beating an Pacific Island team proved tricky enough on match day although the next encounter against the New Zealand will be the contest that truly shapes their end-of-year series. The All Blacks are definitely still beatable, especially missing their key midfielder in their backline, but when it comes to taking their chances they are still a step ahead most the northern hemisphere teams.

The Thistles were particularly guilty of failing to hammer home the final nails and uncertainties still hang over the red rose's optimal back division. It is all very well ending matches well – and much preferable than losing them late on – but their admirable nine-match unbeaten run this year has so far shown just one success over elite-level teams, a one-point home victory over France in the winter.

Future Prospects

Therefore the significance of this upround. Reading between the lines it would appear a number of adjustments are expected in the starting lineup, with established stars coming back to the side. Among the forwards, in the same way, familiar faces should all be back from the outset.

However context is key, in sport as in life. From now until the next global tournament the {rest