Can it get any better for the Springboks and Rassie Erasmus?
The Springboks, under Rassie Erasmus’s dynamic coaching strategy, continue to dominate with recent Rugby World Cup and Championship victories, showcasing a blend of attacking flair and experienced leadership, highlighted by Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s record-breaking performance. Photo: Michael Sherman/IOL Sport
Image: Michael Sherman/IOL Sport
They’ve won the last two Rugby World Cups in a row, as well as the last two Rugby Championship titles, and therefore the burning question is: Can the Springboks get any better?
It’s a simple question with a complicated answer.
The fact is that this year’s Rugby Championship was quite revealing. The Springboks’ opening loss to Australia at Ellis Park for the first time since 1963 was cause for concern.
They also went on to lose to New Zealand in Auckland a couple of weeks later.
Rassie Erasmus’s Dynamic Coaching Strategy: Balancing Attack and Dominance
However, Rassie Erasmus is never at risk of stagnating, and this is reflected in his coaching strategy. He doesn’t always get it right, but he does when it matters, and those four titles back that argument up.
This season, the Boks have adopted a new attacking style with the ball in hand, while still maintaining their dominance up front.
It means the backline have been given the freedom to express their attacking flair to the best of their ability. Of course, it doesn’t always work, but when it does, it’s a thing of beauty.
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s Record-Breaking Performance in Durban: A Testament to Erasmus’s Talent Strategy
The best example of this was the performance of Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu in Durban last month.
His tactical play, flair, and accurate goal-kicking saw him set a new record for the most points scored by a Springbok player in a single game with his tally of 37. His three tries, eight conversions, and two penalties saw Mngomezulu eclipse the previous record of 35 points in a single game previously held by Rugby World Cup-winning Springbok Percy Montgomery.
This was a player who, before the Rugby Championship, had not really cemented his place as a starter in the Springbok side. Now, it’s difficult to see how he won’t be one of the first names on the team sheet.
This is a testament to the Erasmus strategy of blooding new talent, while the core of experience remains with players like Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth, Ox Nche, and Cheslin Kolbe.
For many experienced players, the 2027 Rugby World Cup will be their last hurrah for the Springboks.
That’s still some time away, though, and for now, the Springboks might just keep getting better and better. It’s a scary thought if your allegiances lie outside South Africa.
* The views expressed are not necessarily the views of IOL or Independent Media.
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