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

Some victories carry dual importance in the statement they communicate. Amid the barrage of weekend international rugby fixtures, it was the Saturday evening outcome in Paris that will linger most enduringly across both hemispheres. Not merely the conclusion, but the way the style of success. To say that the Springboks overturned various widely-held assumptions would be an understatement of the rugby year.

Unexpected Turnaround

Discard the idea, for instance, that the French team would rectify the unfairness of their World Cup quarter-final defeat. That entering the final quarter with a small margin and an extra man would result in certain victory. That even without their key player their captain, they still had ample tranquiliser darts to contain the big beasts at a distance.

On the contrary, it was a case of counting their poulets prematurely. Having been 17-13 down, the reduced Springboks ended up racking up 19 points without reply, reinforcing their standing as a team who consistently reserve their top performance for the toughest circumstances. Whereas overpowering New Zealand in Wellington in earlier this year was a declaration, now came clear demonstration that the leading international squad are developing an even thicker skin.

Forward Dominance

In fact, Erasmus's title-winning pack are starting to make everyone else look less committed by juxtaposition. Both northern hemisphere teams each enjoyed their promising spells over the two-day period but possessed nothing like the same powerful carriers that effectively reduced the home side to landfill in the closing period. Some promising young home nation players are emerging but, by the end, the encounter was a mismatch in experience.

What was perhaps even more striking was the mental strength driving it all. Missing the second-rower – shown a dismissal before halftime for a high tackle of the French full-back – the Springboks could potentially become disorganized. On the contrary they just circled the wagons and began dragging the demoralized home team to what a retired hooker called “a place of suffering.”

Leadership and Inspiration

Following the match, having been hoisted around the venue on the gigantic shoulders of two key forwards to honor his century of appearances, the South African skipper, Siya Kolisi, once again stressed how several of his players have been required to conquer life difficulties and how he aspired his team would likewise continue to motivate people.

The ever-sage a commentator also made an astute observation on television, suggesting that his results progressively make him the rugby's version of Sir Alex Ferguson. In the event that the world champions manage to claim a third straight world title there will be absolute certainty. In case they fall short, the clever way in which the coach has revitalized a potentially ageing team has been an exemplary model to other teams.

Young Stars

Look no further than his emerging number 10 the newcomer who darted through for the late try that effectively shattered the opposition line. Additionally the scrum-half, a further playmaker with lightning acceleration and an even sharper eye for a gap. Naturally it is an advantage to operate behind a dominant set of forwards, with André Esterhuizen providing support, but the ongoing metamorphosis of the Boks from intimidating giants into a team who can also move with agility and strike decisively is remarkable.

Home Side's Moments

However, it should not be thought that the home side were completely dominated, notwithstanding their fading performance. Damian Penaud’s later touchdown in the right corner was a clear example. The set-piece strength that tied in the South African pack, the excellent wide ball from Ramos and Penaud’s finishing dive into the advertising hoardings all exhibited the characteristics of a team with notable skill, despite missing their captain.

However, that turned out to be not enough, which is a sobering thought for everybody else. It would be impossible, for instance, that the visitors could have trailed heavily to the Springboks and fought back in the way they did against the All Blacks. Notwithstanding the red rose's strong finish, there is a distance to travel before the England team can be confident of standing up to Erasmus’s green-clad giants with all at stake.

European Prospects

Overcoming an Pacific Island team was challenging on Saturday although the forthcoming clash against the the Kiwis will be the fixture that accurately reflects their November Tests. The All Blacks are not invincible, notably absent their key midfielder in their center, but when it comes to taking their chances they are still a step ahead almost all the home unions.

Scotland were especially culpable of not finishing off the killing points and uncertainties still surround the English side's ideal backline blend. It is all very well performing in the final quarter – and infinitely better than succumbing at the death – but their commendable nine-match unbeaten run this year has so far featured only one win over elite-level teams, a one-point home victory over France in February.

Future Prospects

Thus the importance of this next weekend. Interpreting the signals it would look like a number of adjustments are anticipated in the matchday squad, with experienced individuals being reinstated to the team. Up front, in the same way, regular starters should all be back from the start.

However everything is relative, in sport as in existence. From now until the next global tournament the {rest