Appointed at the beginning of the year as coach, Johan "Rassie" Erasmus has given color to South Africa, opponent of the XV of France Saturday. By recalling and throwing several players, and giving back to the Springboks a clear game plan, speed gear behind and power forward.
In terms of numbers, he is no better than his predecessor with only five wins for six defeats since taking office, against five successes for two draws and three losses for Allister Coetzee in 2017 at the same time.
But it came out of a 2016 black year, the worst in the history of Springboks, and especially Erasmus has offered two pieces of choice: a first victory in New Zealand since 2009 (36-34 mid-September) and a series won against England in June.
The former third international line continued the work of its predecessor, who had changed the traditional game of double world champions (1995 and 2007), focused on physical domination, towards more movement.
But Coetzee may have gone a bit far, forgetting the traditional strength of South African rugby to turn 180 degrees to a game all fire, all flame, but often rough and without too many alternatives. The Erasmus Springboks are more chameleon and pragmatic: after releasing the horses behind at the Rugby Championship this summer, they have for example widely used (and abused) the game at the foot last Saturday in England (defeat 12-11 ).
Selective sorting
"Rassie brought a clear speech, a clear game plan. Everyone knows where his place is, " former French international Pieter De Villiers, who coached the Boks scrum for six years before joining Stade Français this summer, told AFP. "I find that they are much sharper. If they have a shot to play, they will do it at 1000%, but otherwise they will not bother. In sorting balloons, I find them much stronger, " said the side of scrum half of Blues Baptiste Serin.
What De Villiers translates as a gourmet comparison: "The higher the level, the more chips on the table, the more risks must be calculated. To sort the balloons, Erasmus recalled N9 Sale Faf Klerk, ignored in 2017 by Coetzee and who has forgotten Ross Cronje, much slower.
Another player in England has made his comeback in the selection: the back Wasps Willie Roux, within a rear triangle renewed 100%.
Check out the Springbok team to face @FFRugby at the Stade de France in Paris on Saturday and let us know your thoughts on the team! #boksontour #loverugby pic.twitter.com/MQ5jCYVBSp
- South African Rugby (@Springboks) November 8, 2018New wings
Erasmus also launched three wingers: the Toulouse pocket Cheslin Kolbe, and the two holders against the Blues on Saturday, Sbu Nkosi, author of three trials in four selections, and Aphiwe Dyantyi. Two will-o'-the-wisps more comfortable under the balloons than Dillyn Leys and Courtnall Skosan. He finally finally settled at the opening Handre Pollard, long wounded under Coetzee, much more accurate in footwork than the unpredictable Elton Jantjies.
"(Erasmus) has little time to create a team (the World Cup starts in September 2019, Ed). It was important for him to immediately give several players the opportunity to speak for depth in the World Cup, "said De Villiers. The coach confirmed Monday: "We worked hard to bring new faces. If they arrive like that, out of nowhere, it will be difficult for them to make their mark (at the World Cup). "
The Blues are preparing to challenge a team different from the one who had thrashed them in June 2017 (three heavy losses). But they too have changed.