Coaches face litmus test in Test battles

Saturday’s Test in Durban and next weekend’s clash in Mendoza must be statements of intent through the performance of their respective teams for Rassie Erasmus and Mario Ledesma.

Failure to do so may have lingering effects for the Springbok and Los Pumas’ coaches respectively.

For Erasmus‚ who won hearts and minds‚ and two out of four Tests in June‚ the real test has arrived in the Rugby Championship.

Two wins in June would ordinarily be viewed as a modest return‚ but the coach did cast his selection net wider than is generally acceptable at the highest level.

He will “bravely” continue to spread game time among his players in the Rugby Championship‚ but Erasmus will also need to establish something resembling his best 23 by the time they embark on the Australasian leg of the competition.

Before that and given what transpired in June‚ there will be the expectation for the Springboks to crank it up a notch or two against Argentina.

Much is expected of Ledesma on his maiden voyage as Argentina coach. It is hoped he can restore passion and pride in the Los Pumas jersey after a sequence that yielded just three wins in their last 23 matches.

Since they beat the Springboks in Durban two years ago‚ they have only beaten Japan‚ Georgia and Italy.

By June when they lost home Tests to Wales (twice) and suffered humiliation at the hands of Scotland‚ erstwhile coach Daniel Hourcade felt the need to resign.

Just as Hourcade was hitting rock bottom‚ Ledesma’s star was on the rise.

He had made quite an impression in his first year in charge of the Jaguares in Super Rugby.

He was brought in to help raise the performance of a team whose performance had not been commensurate with their international their ranks.

After 17 years playing and coaching abroad Ledesma’s return to Argentina is seen as a experience in homecoming.

Much will rest on his broad shoulders. Argentina’s coaches have had it tough for the longest time. — DDC

Much is expected of Ledesma on his maiden voyage as Argentina’s man in the dugout