Erasmus's Coaching Scholarship Raises South Africa to Greater Levels

Some victories send twofold importance in the statement they broadcast. Within the flood of weekend Test matches, it was Saturday night's result in the French capital that will echo most enduringly across the globe. Not merely the conclusion, but the way the approach of achievement. To say that South Africa shattered several comfortable theories would be an modest description of the season.

Surprising Comeback

So much for the idea, for example, that the French team would make amends for the injustice of their World Cup elimination. The belief that entering the closing stages with a small margin and an numerical superiority would result in assumed success. Despite missing their star man their captain, they still had more than enough resources to keep the powerful opponents at a distance.

As it turned out, it was a case of assuming victory before time. Having been behind on the scoreboard, the reduced Springboks ended up racking up 19 points without reply, reinforcing their status as a side who more and more deliver their finest rugby for the toughest scenarios. While defeating the All Blacks by a large margin in the last quarter was a message, here was conclusive proof that the top-ranked team are building an even thicker skin.

Forward Dominance

If anything, Erasmus's champion Bok forwards are starting to make opposing sides look less intense by contrast. Both northern hemisphere teams experienced their promising spells over the two-day period but lacked entirely the same dominant forwards that effectively reduced France to rubble in the closing period. Several up-and-coming young home nation players are emerging but, by the end, the match was men against boys.

What was perhaps even more striking was the psychological resilience driving it all. Missing their lock forward – shown a 38th-minute straight red for a high tackle of Thomas Ramos – the Boks could potentially become disorganized. On the contrary they just circled the wagons and set about taking the disheartened boys in blue to what an ex-France player described as “the hurt locker.”

Guidance and Example

Afterwards, having been carried around the Stade de France on the powerful backs of the lock pairing to celebrate his century of appearances, the Springbok captain, the flanker, yet again emphasized how a significant number of his team have been needed to conquer personal challenges and how he wished his team would in the same way continue to motivate others.

The insightful a commentator also made an perceptive observation on television, suggesting that the coach's achievements more and more make him the rugby coaching equivalent of Sir Alex Ferguson. Should the Springboks manage to secure another global trophy there will be no doubt whatsoever. Even if they fail to achieve it, the intelligent way in which Erasmus has rejuvenated a experienced squad has been an exemplary model to everyone.

Young Stars

Look no further than his 23-year-old fly-half the rising star who sprinted past for the closing score that properly blew open the French windows. And also the scrum-half, another backline player with explosive speed and an even sharper vision for space. Naturally it is beneficial to have the support of a gargantuan pack, with the powerful center riding shotgun, but the steady transformation of the Springboks from physically imposing units into a squad who can also move with agility and deliver telling blows is hugely impressive.

Glimpses of French Quality

Which is not to say that the home side were utterly overwhelmed, in spite of their weak ending. Their winger's second try in the right corner was a prime instance. The power up front that occupied the South African pack, the excellent wide ball from the playmaker and Penaud’s finishing dive into the sideline boards all exhibited the hallmarks of a side with considerable ability, despite missing their captain.

Yet that in the end was insufficient, which really is a sobering thought for all other nations. It is inconceivable, for instance, that the visitors could have trailed heavily to the world champions and come galloping back in the way they did in their fixture. Notwithstanding the English team's last-quarter improvement, there still exists a distance to travel before the England team can be certain of competing with Erasmus’s green-clad giants with high stakes.

European Prospects

Beating an improving Fiji posed difficulties on the weekend although the forthcoming clash against the the Kiwis will be the contest that properly defines their November Tests. The visitors are certainly vulnerable, especially missing their key midfielder in their midfield, but when it comes to capitalizing on opportunities they are still a level above the majority of the northern hemisphere teams.

The Scottish team were notably at fault of failing to hammer home the final nails and question marks still hang over England’s ideal backline blend. It is all very well ending matches well – and far superior than fading in the closing stages – but their admirable nine-match unbeaten run this year has so far featured only one win over elite-level teams, a close result over the French in earlier in the year.

Next Steps

Therefore the weight of this next weekend. Interpreting the signals it would look like a number of adjustments are expected in the team selection, with established stars coming back to the team. Among the forwards, in the same way, familiar faces should be included from the beginning.

However everything is relative, in competition as in existence. In the lead-up to the upcoming world championship the {rest