Erasmus's Mentoring Expertise Raises Springboks to New Heights

Some victories carry double importance in the lesson they broadcast. Amid the flood of weekend international rugby fixtures, it was the Saturday evening score in the French capital that will linger most enduringly across the globe. Not just the end result, but equally the approach of success. To claim that the Springboks shattered various established theories would be an understatement of the rugby year.

Surprising Comeback

Discard the theory, for example, that France would avenge the unfairness of their World Cup last-eight loss. Assuming that going into the last period with a small margin and an numerical superiority would translate into inevitable glory. Despite missing their talisman their captain, they still had ample resources to restrain the strong rivals safely at bay.

Instead, it was a case of celebrating too soon prematurely. After being 17-13 down, the 14-man Boks concluded with registering 19 consecutive points, confirming their standing as a team who increasingly reserve their top performance for the most challenging circumstances. While defeating the All Blacks by a large margin in September was a declaration, this was definitive evidence that the leading international squad are cultivating an more robust mentality.

Forward Dominance

If anything, the coach's champion Bok forwards are starting to make all other teams look less committed by juxtaposition. Scotland and England experienced their promising spells over the two-day period but lacked entirely the same powerful carriers that systematically dismantled France to rubble in the final thirty minutes. Some promising young home nation players are coming through but, by the final whistle, Saturday night was men against boys.

What was perhaps even more striking was the inner fortitude underpinning it all. In the absence of Lood de Jager – issued a red card in the first half for a high tackle of the French full-back – the South Africans could might well have faltered. On the contrary they simply circled the wagons and set about pulling the disheartened French side to what a retired hooker referred to as “the hurt locker.”

Captaincy and Motivation

Following the match, having been borne aloft around the venue on the gigantic shoulders of the lock pairing to mark his hundredth Test, the South African skipper, Siya Kolisi, once again stressed how many of his players have been obliged to rise above life difficulties and how he hoped his team would in the same way continue to encourage people.

The insightful an analyst also made an perceptive comment on television, suggesting that his results more and more make him the parallel figure of the legendary football manager. If South Africa succeed in claim a third straight world title there will be no doubt whatsoever. Even if they come up short, the intelligent way in which the coach has rejuvenated a experienced roster has been an object lesson to other teams.

Emerging Talent

Consider his 23-year-old fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who sprinted past for the closing score that effectively shattered the home defense. Additionally Grant Williams, another playmaker with explosive speed and an even sharper ability to spot openings. Naturally it is beneficial to have the support of a massive forward unit, with the powerful center adding physicality, but the continuing evolution of the Springboks from scowling heavyweights into a team who can also float like butterflies and sting like bees is remarkable.

Glimpses of French Quality

Which is not to say that the home side were utterly overwhelmed, in spite of their fading performance. Damian Penaud’s second try in the right corner was a clear example. The set-piece strength that engaged the Bok forwards, the glorious long pass from Ramos and the try-scorer's execution into the advertising hoardings all exhibited the traits of a team with significant talent, without Dupont.

But even that in the end was insufficient, which is a daunting prospect for everybody else. It is inconceivable, for example, that the Scottish side could have fallen behind by 17 points to South Africa and mounted a comeback in the way they did in their fixture. Despite the English team's last-quarter improvement, there remains a distance to travel before Steve Borthwick’s squad can be confident of standing up to the world's top team with high stakes.

European Prospects

Defeating an developing Fijian side was challenging on Saturday although the forthcoming clash against the the Kiwis will be the contest that accurately reflects their end-of-year series. The All Blacks are definitely still beatable, notably absent Jordie Barrett in their midfield, but when it comes to taking their chances they are still a cut above most the European sides.

The Scottish team were especially culpable of missing the chance to secure the killing points and question marks still hang over the English side's perfect backline combination. It is fine ending matches well – and infinitely better than losing them late on – but their admirable undefeated streak this year has so far featured only one win over top-drawer opposition, a narrow win over France in the winter.

Looking Ahead

Thus the weight of this coming Saturday. Analyzing the situation it would look like a number of adjustments are expected in the starting lineup, with experienced individuals being reinstated to the side. Among the forwards, likewise, familiar faces should return from the beginning.

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