Tokyo (AFP)

A little over two years after conceding the biggest defeat in history, South Africa will play Saturday against England in the final of the World Cup. A spectacular recovery made by Rassie Erasmus, who refocused the game and tightened the ranks of the Springboks.

Defeats 57-0 in September in New Zealand, then 38-3 in November in Ireland: 2017 is fatal to Allister Coetzee, after an already catastrophic previous year, concluded with eight setbacks in twelve games - worst record in the history of the selection - including the first in Italy.

To lift the bar, the leaders repatriate from Munster (Ireland) Johan "Rassie" Erasmus and give him full powers with a double cap of coach and "director of rugby" of the Federation.

He begins by putting the points on the "i": before thinking of producing an ambitious game behind, we must first ensure ahead.

And then return to the epitome of rugby springbok, conquest, defense and occupation by the game on the foot, a triptych carried by a pack of leading rulers, who crushed Japan (26-3) in the quarterfinals and boarded the Welsh Sunday (19-16).

"Rassie has come up with a specific game plan: rely on South African forces," said Matt Proudfoot, head coach.

The road map is clear, and the group must adhere to it. "He put everyone on the same line, and made sure that everyone is aligned on the same game plan," said the replacement pillar Thomas Du Toit.

"The biggest change is the change of mindset that he has produced by getting everyone involved and playing South + +. , all the teams have their identity ", abounds Proudfoot.

- Primacy at work -

Erasmus, aged 46, makes Siya Kolisi the first black captain in the history of the selection, in a country where the racial question is a very sensitive subject.

Aided by his title of director of rugby Federation, it removes the rule of selection of expatriate players and calls or recalls the "foreigners" Cheslin Kolbe, De Klerk Faf, Willie Le Roux or Vincent Koch.

Place the best, often the biggest workmen. "Rassie is going to take the one who works hard and does his job well, whereas the previous coaches took those who had been there for years, even if they were not knitting. the hooker Bongi Mbonambi.

That's what is expected of someone whose rugby is the job. "In the last two years, players have become aware of what it means to be a professional rugby player," says Erasmus.

"At one time, in South Africa, being a pro rugby player meant just cashing a good check, but the players had to understand that if they wanted to be pro rugby players in South Africa, they had to work very hard , and could not just move from province to province to cash a good check, "he adds.

- No more starlets -

This requirement is gradually spreading across provinces and franchises.The general level of mediocrity is slowly evaporating from our rugby (...) players are having a more professional approach to rugby, "he continues.

The Springboks are, according to Kolisi, "placed above all" by Erasmus, the former third international line (36 caps between 1997 and 2001).

An international player in South Africa, a country where rugby plays an important role, especially among the "Afrikaaners" - an ethnic group from which Erasmus emerged - must be exemplary.

No more starlets, again according to Kolisi: "Previously, most of us were lathered on social networks, he brought us down to earth and said we had to start playing well, the rest would come next. "

Erasmus tells their four truths to the players, who appreciate his frankness, according to Mbonambi: "He tells you what he thinks of you in front of you and not behind your back, and everyone knows about it." The oval planet too: the Springboks are back.

© 2019 AFP