Danny Wilson was the first opposing head coach to inflict a defeat on Rassie Erasmus during his time in charge of Irish province Munster and he will draw on that experience as he bids to get the better of the South African once more in Edinburgh today.
The former Cardiff Blues boss reckons there are similarities between the challenge his side faced that day, at the start of a campaign which would see Erasmus go on to be voted the Pro12’s coach of the season. Consequently, while he is new to the international arena, he reckons he knows what to expect.
““We lost against them a couple of times and the Munster identity is similar to the South African identity,” said Wilson. “With Rassie coaching them as well, you see his imprint on both sides, there’s no doubt about that, a well-organised, well-drilled team that’s physical. In that league I was coaching in, I think Munster would be the closest to (the Springboks). Leinster would be similar. Those two Irish sides are pretty physical, but had those second strings to their bow that I think South Africa are adding.
“You kind of know what’s coming and it’s whether you can match it. I’ve been on the wrong end of that a couple of times with Cardiff and I’ve also been on the right end of it, but we’re fully aware that we must pick off both those tactical elements they’re now bringing which does make them a dangerous weapon.”
While the provincial teams have the benefit of having longer together and fewer restrictions on the basis of national qualifications, Wilson also knows there is an added element when the tradition of pulling on a Springbok jersey enters the equation.
“It’s a different scale, obviously,” he said. “You play South African clubs and they play that way, because that ethos runs through South Africa rugby. You play big French packs of forwards who are physical as well. It’s just that, internationally, this is what they base their game on and they do it really well.”
Their capacity to bulldoze teams has been as evident at tonight’s venue as anywhere in the world, a heavy beating having become known colloquially in South Africa as ‘a Murrayfield’ for many years after their 44-0 mauling of Scotland in 1951, so astonishing was that result considered in an era of very low scoring matches, while they matched that 10 try drubbing under a more punitive scoring system when winning 68-10 in 1997 and nilled Scotland again on their last visit when they ran out 28-0 winners five years ago. That, though, was before Vern Cotter instilled new pride in Scotland, overhauling the squad in the build-up to the 2015 World Cup, the New Zealander and re-instilling some pride in performance when overseeing wins in his last five home matches, a run that now extends to 10 wins in 11.
As the newest recruit to the management, Wilson reckons he is enjoying the benefit of that.
“I’ve been here a short period of time but, to talk about the now, what I’ve seen straight away is the pride for this group of players to represent their country at this venue,” said Wilson. “That’s come through in spades. It was a great experience for me personally. The pipe band and all the people surrounding the changing room entrance and the atmosphere gave you a feeling of what it’s like to be a home player and home coach. That pride is massive for this group of players. There is a confident mood but also an anticipation that we are facing a very good side and have to be on top of our game to give ourselves a chance of winning.”
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