But while the power of the Springbok forwards, knocking back runner after runner, may be less about taking chances and more a show of strength, the same is not the case in the backs.

When South Africa drew in Wellington earlier this year, much was made of Lukhanyo Am’s importance in the midfield. His ability to read the opposition attack early and communicate that to the rest of his team has been crucial to the defensive system put in place by Nienaber.

Even then, there are times when players will have to gamble, as we saw in the first half of the final when Cheslin Kolbe spotted an overlap, raced up to make the tackle on Courtney Lawes – despite giving up 30cm and 35kg – stopping the ball from being spread wider and effectively preventing a try.

England, so threatening a week before against the All Blacks, were rattled and out of ideas. Over the course of the World Cup South Africa conceded just four tries, their defence was exceptional.

Nienaber’s story is all the more remarkable when you consider that his background is on the medical side, rather than coaching.

The iconic image above shows him treating Duane Vermeulen in his role as Springbok physio, while passing on instructions to Faf de Klerk about the defensive structures.

Vermeulen is in no doubt as to what Nienaber brings to the party, backing him to be a success if he were to step into the top job.

He said: “Jacques is a fantastic guy. When I first met him and got to work with him he was still a physio. Now he’s the defence coach and he’s passed on so many things to the players and it’s also for the guys to pick up on that and try to show the new guys the system that he wants us to do.

“He’s a good guy to step up. I don’t know who it will be but he’s a fantastic guy. It’s also nice to see someone that’s in a squad and in this management team, if he were to make the step up, he knows the way we want to play and the way we want to go forward.”

Whoever does take over and coach the world champions will have to work closely alongside Erasmus, so Nienaber seems an obvious candidate.

His path into coaching may not be that traditional, but then again, former PE teacher Graham Henry was inducted into World Rugby’s Hall of Fame this week. Wayne Pivac has gone from being a policeman to coaching the Scarlets to a Championship title and taking over as Wales coach. There is no one way to the top.