Rassie Erasmus's Mentoring Expertise Raises South Africa to Greater Levels

Certain wins carry dual significance in the statement they communicate. Among the flood of weekend international rugby fixtures, it was Saturday night's outcome in Paris that will linger most enduringly across both hemispheres. Not only the conclusion, but equally the approach of success. To say that the Springboks overturned various comfortable assumptions would be an modest description of the season.

Unexpected Turnaround

Discard the notion, for example, that France would avenge the injustice of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. The belief that entering the final quarter with a narrow lead and an additional player would result in inevitable glory. Despite missing their star man their captain, they still had sufficient strategies to contain the strong rivals safely at bay.

Instead, it was a case of celebrating too soon before time. After being 17-13 down, the reduced Springboks finished by registering 19 consecutive points, strengthening their standing as a side who increasingly save their best for the most demanding situations. While overpowering New Zealand in Wellington in earlier this year was a declaration, now came definitive evidence that the top-ranked team are developing an more robust mentality.

Forward Dominance

Actually, Rassie Erasmus’s title-winning pack are beginning to make opposing sides look laissez-faire by comparison. Both northern hemisphere teams each enjoyed their promising spells over the two-day period but lacked entirely the same earthmovers that thoroughly overwhelmed the French pack to ruins in the closing period. Several up-and-coming young France's pack members are emerging but, by the conclusion, the match was a mismatch in experience.

What was perhaps even more striking was the mental strength underpinning it all. Without the second-rower – issued a dismissal before halftime for a dangerous contact of the French full-back – the South Africans could easily have become disorganized. As it happened they simply united and began pulling the deflated home team to what an ex-France player referred to as “a place of suffering.”

Captaincy and Motivation

Post-game, having been carried around the Parisian stadium on the immense frames of two key forwards to celebrate his hundredth Test, the Springbok captain, Siya Kolisi, repeatedly stressed how many of his team have been required to rise above life difficulties and how he wished his squad would likewise continue to inspire fans.

The insightful an analyst also made an shrewd comment on sports media, stating that the coach's achievements progressively make him the rugby coaching equivalent of the legendary football manager. Should the Springboks succeed in secure another global trophy there will be complete assurance. Even if they fail to achieve it, the intelligent way in which the mentor has rejuvenated a potentially ageing squad has been an masterclass to everyone.

Young Stars

Consider his young playmaker Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who darted through for the closing score that effectively shattered the opposition line. Or another half-back, a further playmaker with lightning acceleration and an more acute ability to spot openings. Naturally it is an advantage to operate behind a massive forward unit, with André Esterhuizen riding shotgun, but the continuing evolution of the Boks from physically imposing units into a team who can also float like butterflies and sting like bees is extraordinary.

Glimpses of French Quality

This is not to imply that the home side were utterly overwhelmed, in spite of their fading performance. The wing's later touchdown in the right corner was a clear example. The power up front that engaged the South African pack, the superb distribution from the full-back and Penaud’s finishing dive into the advertising hoardings all displayed the traits of a side with considerable ability, even in the absence of Dupont.

However, that turned out to be inadequate, which is a daunting prospect for all other nations. There is no way, for example, that Scotland could have fallen behind by 17 points to the world champions and come galloping back in the way they did against the All Blacks. And for all the English team's strong finish, there is a journey ahead before the national side can be assured of facing the South African powerhouses with all at stake.

Northern Hemisphere Challenges

Overcoming an improving Fiji was challenging on Saturday although the forthcoming clash against the All Blacks will be the fixture that properly defines their November Tests. New Zealand are definitely still beatable, notably absent an influential back in their center, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they continue to be a step ahead almost all the home unions.

The Scottish team were particularly guilty of missing the chance to secure the decisive blows and uncertainties still surround the red rose's optimal back division. It is all very well finishing games strongly – and infinitely better than fading in the closing stages – but their admirable nine-match unbeaten run this year has so far included just a single victory over elite-level teams, a one-point home victory over Les Bleus in the winter.

Next Steps

Thus the weight of this next weekend. Interpreting the signals it would seem several changes are expected in the team selection, with experienced individuals returning to the side. In the pack, similarly, familiar faces should all be back from the start.

But context is key, in rugby as in existence. From now until the next global tournament the {rest