Team Transcendence

Thank you for subscribing to Moodset for Mastery, a booster for challengers like you. Creating a climate for excellence is a never-ending pursuit so this newsletter aims to stimulate ideas, and to share insights for inspiration!

I am a student of team effectiveness and a proud Springbok fan. Immersed in team research, I also followed the progress of Springbok team through the Rugby World Cup (RWC) in October 2023. I will certainly not be the first to heap accolades on this incredible team, however, from a research perspective, I simply cannot ignore this opportunity to salute the significance of many aspects of this team's journey over the last five years. Indeed, I think there is learning for us all.

Leadership

Rassie Erasmus and Jacque Nienaber took on the challenge of coaching the Springbok team in 2018. Siya Kolisi was appointed captain in the same year. The appointment of these specific leaders was a masterstroke and we should never underplay the calibre of these human beings. More importantly, the way these key leaders believed in, and backed each other, is a benchmark for excellence. As Steve Jobs said, "the dots do join up looking back".

More importantly, the way these key leaders believed in, and backed each other, is a benchmark for excellence.

Vision

The Springboks at that time were languishing outside the top five rugby teams in the world and had lost to the All Blacks 57 - 0 in 2017. Everyone in the squad is able to share that the vision in 2018 was to win the RWC in 2023. It was mentioned in multiple press conferences. The RWC win in 2019 was a bonus. Or perhaps in hindsight it was proof that the recipe worked... The key point here is that there was a clear vision, clearly understood and shared. A five year vision - clear, understood, a destination for the organisation.

The key point here is that there was a clear vision, clearly understood and shared.

Meaning

Nelson Mandela was a catalyst in the change of fortunes for all South Africans. He also played a major role in sport and especially South Africa's most popular sport, rugby. The iconic picture of him standing beside Francois Pienaar when South Africa won the 1995 RWC in Johannesburg is etched in the memory of millions. Significantly, Madiba voiced his support to hosting another RWC and many felt that South Africa were the rightful bidders to host the 2023 RWC. The decision went against South Africa and the tournament went back to France who had very recently hosted in 2007.

South Africa has many problems. Poverty and unemployment along with corruption and crime make the headlines on a daily basis in a country bearing the scars of discrimination and divide. Yet the Springboks with Siya Kolisi at the helm have become a beacon of hope. Making South Africans proud while giving hope to 60 million people is now what provides inspirational meaning to everyone involved in the Springbok set up and to millions of Bok fans around the world. Not only do the Bok team have a 'why' but they have a 'who' as well.

Not only do the Bok team have a 'why' but they have a 'who' as well.

Most importantly, this idea is not just based on some notion of helping others, this is grounded in personal experience. Kolisi grew up in a township with nothing. Mapimpi had nothing. Kolbe grew up in the ganglands of the Cape Flats. I could go on. Many players in the team were literally once the very people they are now managing to inspire.

Many players in the team were literally once the very people they are now managing to inspire.

When Kwagga Smith was asked about whether the Boks get enough respect from other teams, he dismissed it and summed up Bok meaning; "We play to give our nation hope, and to make our people proud". Respect comes from never giving up, no matter how great the challenge. Interestingly enough, the stats and results are the facts so it matters not what other rugby teams think. The Springboks now have by far the most impressive record at World Cups. Played eight, won four (50% win record at RWCs).

Respect comes from never giving up, no matter how great the challenge.

Meaning becomes responsibility and urgency. It motivates when the team is in a deep, dark pain cave from which there seems no exit. Defence takes on a kind of literal meaning. Defend the dignity of the deprived majority in the homeland no matter what. When that purpose is further agitated by the perceived injustice of not being awarded hosting rights, it merely adds a further level of resolve. Several respected analysts broke down the RWC final after the game. It was clear that the level of intensity and commitment shown by the Springboks in defence created a level of pressure that curtailed the All Blacks awesome attack.

The Springboks won their three knockout games by one point each time. In the semi final the Boks were behind England by nine points with 12 minutes to go. The level of belief and the accuracy of execution in the most challenging of circumstances cannot be ignored. This was beyond x-factor and fear factor, this was mission incredible. In the quarter final against France, Mbonambi told the referee that Pollard would have a kick at posts from his own half, he turned to Pollard and simply said; "for South Africa". Pollard did not miss a kick through the entire tournament.

Legends like Sean Fitzpatrick of All Blacks fame noted that when playing South Africa in RWCs they simply "don't go away", or more specifically, the Springboks "find a way". The fact that this Bok team found a way to win by the narrowest of margins in three successive games at the highest level is the stuff of legend. It is also beyond luck. First they had to beat the hosts in Paris, then they had to beat England and New Zealand after that. It has been described as the toughest possible route to the final. This route included losing to Ireland in pool play - Ireland were number one at the time. Finding a way and finding a solution, no matter how large the problem, is potentially the most inspiring legacy of this group of players. Surely we can all take something from that. Certainly South Africa as a nation should distil the Springbok spirit to help transcend mediocrity.

Finding a way and finding a solution, no matter how large the problem, is potentially the most inspiring legacy of this team.

Continuity

Research has shown time and again that continuity, especially at the top, is critical for success. The Springbok group assembled in 2018, was carefully chosen for longevity, loyalty, and legacy. Indeed, most of the team in the 2023 final had played in the 2019 final; same captain, same scrum, mostly the same backline and similar 'bomb squad'. This group knew each other intimately, they had stood shoulder to shoulder through two world cups, a British and Irish Lions tour, a pandemic, and the challenges involved in recalling players from their foreign clubs to convene for national duty in a developing nation, time and time again.

Roles and Responsibilities

This is where the Springbok team under Rassie and Jacque broke new ground in the definition of a standard starting XV and the replacement bench. The coaches experimented with different bench splits between backs and forwards. Terms like 5-3 or 7-1 were talking points for commentators as the Boks sought to shift previous paradigms around how the reserves are perceived and how they impact the game. Indeed the Boks astounded many when they selected seven forwards on the bench against the All Blacks in the RWC Final. Many called it madness. Yet the end justified the means. Often innovation is questioned and even dismissed, until it is proven and then becomes genius.

Often innovation is questioned and even dismissed, until it is proven and then becomes 'genius'.

The master plan was revealed through the knock-out games at the RWC as it became apparent that the players coming onto the field around half time were arguably better than the ones who had started. Certainly they were not a lesser version in each position. Against England in the semi final, the so-called bomb squad turned the game around. It was definitely lost without them. Back row reserve - Kwagga Smith - has become a specialist impact player for the Boks. That is his role, and his responsibility is to bring a level of energy and urgency in the last 30 minutes that few opposition teams have been able to live with since 2019.

Approach

It was remarked on by many, that every player in the Bok squad was completely 'bought in' to the coaching plan no matter what. Every single player, whether in the starting 23 or not, was 100% committed and prepared to sacrifice themselves for the bigger picture. This was led by Siya Kolisi who was so completely transparent and authentic that nobody could ever question the unity of the entire group. Player of the final was Pieter Steph Du Toit who made 28 tackles, many of them on Jordie Barrett who is a significant attacking threat for New Zealand. Du Toit's role in the final was very clear and he executed it with aplomb. It was beyond effective. It was exemplar.

Training practices mostly take place out of view but there were some insights which help us understand some of the non-negotiables. One of them was repeatedly explained by the coaching team; if a player is not fit to train on a Monday, then that player will not play at the weekend. The Boks announce their team early in the week, this shows confidence and provides clear communication within and without, that the Boks know what they are about. One other insight came when Pollard was asked what was going through his head each time he was asked to execute a penalty kick to save the game: "I just follow the process". Clearly the approach, the process, the practice... it works.

Relationships

Pollard is now a senior player and the level of trust and camaraderie that he has with the leader group sets the tone for the whole tribe. Kolisi, Etzebeth, Vermeulen, Mbonambi, Pollard, Le Roux and many others have built a bond of togetherness and belonging that has stood the test of time and been forged on many fields over many years.

As important for any team is the mentoring of successors and future stalwarts. So the reported care and respect that Pollard has for his understudy, Manie Libbok, provides further insight into the quality of respectful relationships throughout the Bok camp.

Character

It has become noticeable that the Springbok group has achieved a level of harmony and honesty that has lifted them above the rest. Jacque and Siya in press conferences over the last several months, have talked with a refreshing level of openness and candour about anything the media wanted to ask. There were no excuses, no distractions, and no deflections.

There were no excuses, no distractions, and no deflections.

Kolisi in fact has risen to a level of statesmanlike demeanour whereby he reaches out to opposition coaches and captains to offer his support for the pressure they are under at home. More recently he has provided advice to the President of South Africa about how the ANC government might learn from this incredible Springbok journey. Siya's character has become the team character; no excuses, no disrespect, no alternative than to support the team and the mission. Courtesy, honesty, humility, commitment.

It is in the character realm that I think the Springboks are the new international rugby benchmark. They have learned from previous mistakes to become the no-blame group they are today.

It is in the character realm that I think the Springboks are the new international rugby benchmark.

Kolisi suffered a serious knee injury just six months out from the RWC. He somehow recovered to lift the Trophy in Paris. This talismanic effort is what galvanises a team. McCaw was comparable during his time for the All Blacks.

Dream Team versus Team Dream

Martin Luther King said "I have a dream...". Look at the flame that spark created. At the end of RWC 2023 there was an Awards Dinner. South Africa picked up zero individual awards and had only one player in the Dream XV (Eben Etzebeth). However, the Springboks had already collected the only award that really counted, the pride of the South African supporters and indeed the cup itself. The team had dared to dream that back-to-back RWCs could be won. They believed, and they delivered.

"A team is a small number of people with complementary skills, who are committed to a common purpose, performance goals, and an approach, for which they hold themselves mutually accountable." - Katzenbach & Smith 1993

Commitment, purpose, and accountability. Hallmarks of any world-class team, and we have a visual record of it all. I saw the impact it had on Springbok legends like Bryan Habana and Bob Skinstad as well. Draw inspiration from this journey. I know I have.

What is Moodset? Moodset is about what you feel and sense, the atmosphere, the energy, the heart and soul of a group in a certain place. Some call it performance climate. Moodset is as important as mindset for inspiring excellence.

If you enjoyed this article, I would encourage you to check out my popular book on performance improvement; Accelerating Automatic!

Tim Wigham is Head of Performance at Exceed Energy. He is an Amazon#1 bestselling co-author of Purposeful People and a TEDx Speaker on the topic of Moodset and Team Performance.