Rassie Erasmus's Mentoring Scholarship Raises Springboks to New Heights

Some victories carry double weight in the lesson they communicate. Amid the flood of weekend rugby Tests, it was Saturday night's score in the French capital that will linger most enduringly across the rugby world. Not only the final score, but also the manner of victory. To say that South Africa overturned various established theories would be an oversimplification of the rugby year.

Surprising Comeback

Forget about the theory, for example, that the French team would avenge the disappointment of their World Cup last-eight loss. The belief that entering the last period with a slight advantage and an numerical superiority would translate into certain victory. That even without their talisman their scrum-half, they still had ample resources to keep the strong rivals safely at bay.

Instead, it was a case of assuming victory too early. Initially behind on the scoreboard, the South African side with a player sent off finished by racking up 19 points without reply, reinforcing their reputation as a side who increasingly reserve their top performance for the most demanding scenarios. Whereas overpowering New Zealand in Wellington in earlier this year was a declaration, now came definitive evidence that the top-ranked team are building an more robust mentality.

Pack Power

In fact, Erasmus's experienced front eight are starting to make opposing sides look laissez-faire by comparison. The Scottish and English sides each enjoyed their periods of promise over the recent fixtures but possessed nothing like the same earthmovers that systematically dismantled the French pack to landfill in the final thirty minutes. Several up-and-coming young France's pack members are developing but, by the end, the encounter was men against boys.

Perhaps most impressive was the inner fortitude driving it all. Missing the second-rower – issued a 38th-minute straight red for a dangerous contact of the opposition kicker – the Springboks could might well have faltered. Instead they just circled the wagons and set about dragging the disheartened home team 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 gigantic shoulders of the lock pairing to honor his hundredth Test, the Springbok captain, the flanker, yet again emphasized how many of his players have been required to rise above personal challenges and how he wished his team would likewise continue to motivate others.

The perceptive an analyst also made an shrewd comment on television, proposing that his results progressively make him the rugby's version of the Manchester United great. If South Africa succeed in claim a third straight world title there will be complete assurance. Should they come up short, the intelligent way in which the mentor has rejuvenated a experienced squad has been an object lesson to everyone.

Emerging Talent

Take for example his young playmaker the newcomer who sprinted past for the decisive touchdown that effectively shattered the home defense. Additionally Grant Williams, a further half-back with explosive speed and an even sharper ability to spot openings. Undoubtedly it helps to operate behind a gargantuan pack, with the powerful center adding physicality, but the continuing evolution of the Springboks from intimidating giants into a team who can also display finesse and deliver telling blows is hugely impressive.

Home Side's Moments

However, it should not be thought that the French team were completely dominated, despite their fading performance. The wing's second try in the wing area was a good illustration. The forward dominance that tied in the visiting eight, the excellent wide ball from the playmaker and Penaud’s finishing dive into the perimeter signage all demonstrated the hallmarks of a side with considerable ability, despite missing their star man.

But even that in the end was insufficient, which truly represents a humbling reality for all other nations. There is no way, for instance, that the visitors could have gone 17-0 down to the world champions and mounted a comeback in the way they did against the All Blacks. And for all the red rose's strong finish, there is a gap to close before the England team can be certain of standing up to the South African powerhouses with all at stake.

Northern Hemisphere Challenges

Overcoming an Pacific Island team proved tricky enough on match day although the upcoming showdown against the the Kiwis will be the fixture that truly shapes their autumn. The All Blacks are definitely still beatable, notably absent an influential back in their backline, but when it comes to converting pressure into points they continue to be a step ahead almost all the home unions.

Scotland were notably at fault of failing to hammer home the final nails and uncertainties still hang over the red rose's perfect backline combination. It is fine performing in the final quarter – and far superior than losing them late on – but their admirable nine-match unbeaten run this year has so far shown just one success over top-drawer opposition, a close result over the French in the winter.

Future Prospects

Therefore the significance of this next weekend. Analyzing the situation it would look like various alterations are anticipated in the starting lineup, with experienced individuals coming back to the lineup. Up front, in the same way, first-choice players should be included from the outset.

But context is key, in competition as in existence. In the lead-up to the next global tournament the {rest