Rassie Erasmus's Coaching Scholarship Elevates South Africa to Greater Levels

Certain wins deliver twofold significance in the statement they broadcast. Amid the flood of weekend rugby Tests, it was Saturday night's outcome in the French capital that will echo longest across both hemispheres. Not just the conclusion, but equally the style of success. To say that South Africa overturned several widely-held theories would be an modest description of the calendar.

Surprising Comeback

Forget about the idea, for example, that the French team would make amends for the unfairness of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. That entering the closing stages with a slight advantage and an numerical superiority would lead to inevitable glory. That even without their key player 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 17-13 down, the South African side with a player sent off concluded with registering 19 consecutive points, confirming their reputation as a squad who more and more reserve their top performance for the toughest situations. Whereas beating New Zealand 43-10 in earlier this year was a statement, now came conclusive proof that the leading international squad are building an greater resilience.

Pack Power

If anything, Rassie Erasmus’s champion Bok forwards are increasingly make opposing sides look less committed by juxtaposition. Scotland and England experienced their promising spells over the recent fixtures but lacked entirely the same dominant forwards that thoroughly overwhelmed the French pack to landfill in the final thirty minutes. Some promising young home nation players are coming through but, by the conclusion, the match was men against boys.

Even more notable was the inner fortitude underpinning it all. In the absence of the second-rower – shown a dismissal before halftime for a shoulder to the head of the French full-back – the Boks could easily have become disorganized. As it happened they simply circled the wagons and began pulling the disheartened French side to what an ex-France player referred to as “a place of suffering.”

Leadership and Inspiration

Following the match, having been borne aloft around the Stade de France on the gigantic shoulders of two key forwards to honor his hundredth Test, the Springbok captain, the flanker, once again stressed how a significant number of his team have been required to conquer off-field adversity and how he hoped his team would in the same way continue to encourage fans.

The perceptive a commentator also made an astute comment on broadcast, proposing that his results more and more make him the parallel figure of Sir Alex Ferguson. In the event that the world champions succeed in claim a third straight world title there will be no doubt whatsoever. In case they fall short, the smart way in which the mentor has revitalized a possibly veteran roster has been an exemplary model to everyone.

Young Stars

Take for example his emerging number 10 the rising star who sprinted past for the late try that properly blew open the home defense. And also another half-back, a further half-back with explosive speed and an even sharper vision for space. Of course it is an advantage to have the support of a dominant set of forwards, with the inside back riding shotgun, but the steady transformation of the South African team from intimidating giants into a squad who can also move with agility and strike decisively is remarkable.

French Flashes

Which is not to say that the home side were totally outclassed, notwithstanding their weak ending. Damian Penaud’s second try in the far side was a good illustration. The power up front that tied in the Bok forwards, the glorious long pass from the playmaker and Penaud’s finishing dive into the sideline boards all demonstrated the traits of a side with notable skill, despite missing their star man.

Yet that in the end was not enough, which really is a humbling reality for everybody else. It would be impossible, for example, that the visitors could have gone 17-0 down to South Africa and come galloping back in the way they did versus New Zealand. Despite England’s strong finish, there is a distance to travel before the England team can be certain of standing up to the world's top team with everything on the line.

European Prospects

Defeating an developing Fijian side proved tricky enough on the weekend although the forthcoming clash against the the Kiwis will be the fixture that accurately reflects their end-of-year series. The visitors are definitely still beatable, particularly without an influential back in their center, but when it comes to capitalizing on opportunities they continue to be a level above most the northern hemisphere teams.

Scotland were particularly guilty of not finishing off the decisive blows and question marks still surround the English side's ideal backline blend. It is all very well performing in the final quarter – and much preferable than fading in the closing stages – but their admirable undefeated streak this year has so far included just a single victory over top-drawer opposition, a close result over Les Bleus in earlier in the year.

Looking Ahead

Hence the importance of this upround. Analyzing the situation it would seem various alterations are expected in the matchday squad, with established stars coming back to the team. In the pack, similarly, regular starters should all be back from the start.

However context is key, in competition as in reality. From now until the upcoming world championship the {rest