Tense Twickenham victory is a walk in the park for cool Rassie Erasmus as counterpart Steve Borthwick feels the pressure, writes CHRIS FOY

There was a perfect snapshot of the contrast between the head coaches at Twickenham on Saturday when Rassie Erasmus strolled onto the pitch, hands in the pockets of his tracksuit, while his team warmed up nearby.

No rush. No stress. The man in charge of the world champion Springboks looked like he was gently walking his dog. Not a worry in the world. He watched South Africa go through their drills and occasionally glanced at the opposition, completely unfazed.

In England’s half, Steve Borthwick’s body language was so different. He was busy and animated – barking orders and gesturing while putting his players through their paces. The hosts’ head coach took center stage in the pre-match action. His hands didn’t go near his pockets.

Borthwick cuts a stern, focused figure, not just on match days but whenever he is in work mode. He’s happiest buried in the details, methodically going about his business, where Rassie is all heart and soul and raw passion.

England’s early try did not elicit a single reaction from their manager. Borthwick remained impassive; calm, impassive, chewing gum. At his side, Richard Wigglesworth allows himself a small gesture of satisfaction; banging your fist on the desk in celebration.

Shortly afterwards, with the Boks going through a chaotic and erratic period, Erasmus could be seen on the intercom, barking instructions to his team near the touchline. Again there was a stark contrast, as Borthwick was still impassive, still chewing gum.

In the build-up to this match, Rassie the Rascal has turned up the pressure on his struggling counterpart, under the auspices of showing empathy.

“When you lose two games, even if it’s by a point or a last-minute try, the pressure starts to build,” he said. “I’ve been there and I know how quickly it can happen to you. It depends on management, on your CEO – they can make you feel like you have a gun to your head.

It’s hard to imagine such mind games happening the other way around. That’s not Borthwick’s style. His repertoire does not include pot-smoking, although Erasmus has long made it a polarizing art form.

Another feature of the build-up to this encounter was the massive rotation of Erasmus, who changed 12 of his starting XV after the fragile victory against Scotland. A six-day delay was undoubtedly a factor, but it’s still not a ploy Borthwick would favor.

His four changes represent a rare departure from the policy of constant and consistent selection that he tends to favor. Erasmus is renowned for its innovation and for being a master of surprise. Borthwick is best known for being meticulous and thorough, but relatively conventional.

They are such opposite figures. An Englishman fond of data and details, in his element studying lineouts on a laptop and a South African renowned for pressing buttons in a different way; ignite your own players and liquidate your opponents.

These rival coaches also have a different status. Very different. Borthwick is struggling in the court of public opinion. England fans have not been supportive of his regime and there are signs of trouble. Despite reaching a World Cup semi-final, impatience is growing in the Shires.

Popularity is beyond the control here. This couldn’t be further from Erasmus’ case. He is the revered ruler of the Bok Kingdom – adored in his homeland as the mastermind of enduring success and someone who has often stood up to global vitriol.

The problem with Borthwick is that he doesn’t need to be acclaimed. He is not looking for a place on a pedestal. He is content to operate out of sight. In a profession filled with inflated egos, he has none.

What he would surely want is Erasmus’ CV. A Premiership title triumph with Leicester is a great club achievement, but it pales in comparison to two world conquests at Test level.

No wonder Erasmus can walk around with his hands in his pockets before such an important meeting. He gained some margin. An occasional one-off defeat is not going to make or break his reputation, even if it is at odds with the heightened expectations of the Springboks’ army of supporters.

But the scenario for Borthwick is so different. He is under suffocating pressure. No wonder he always looked so stern and focused. What he would give to be in Rassie’s comfortable shoes, hands in his pockets – literally or figuratively; all calm and assured.