Pressure is mounting on Steve Borthwick after England's defeat to South Africa... popularity eludes him, unlike Springboks' unfazed boss Rassie Erasmus, 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 with his hands in training bags as his team warmed up nearby.

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

In the England half of the pitch, Steve Borthwick’s body language was oh so different. He was busy and animated, barking orders and gesticulating as he tested his players. The home team’s head coach was in the middle of the pre-match action. His hands didn’t go near his pockets.

Borthwick cuts a stern, focused figure, not just on match days but also when he is in work mode. He is happiest buried in the details, methodically doing his job, with Rassie being all heart and soul and raw passion.

England’s early try failed to elicit any response from their boss. Borthwick remained unmoved; calm, straight face, chewing gum. Beside him, Richard Wigglesworth allowed himself a small gesture of satisfaction; banging his fist on the desk in celebration.

Shortly afterwards, as the Boks endured a chaotic and erratic period, Erasmus could be seen on the intercom barking instructions to his staff from the touchline. Once again there was a striking contrast as Borthwick still had a poker face and was still chewing gum.

South African boss Rassie Erasmus walked onto the field during the warm-up with his hands in his training bags

Meanwhile, Steve Borthwick was busy and animated; he barked orders and gestured as he tested his players

In the run-up to this match, Rassie the villain turned up the tension on his controversial counterpart, under the auspices of showing empathy.

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

It’s hard to imagine such mind games coming the other way. That’s not Borthwick’s style. His repertoire does not include pot-stirring, while 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 twelve of his starting XV after the shaky win over Scotland. A six-day turnaround was undoubtedly a factor, but it’s still not a ploy Borthwick would prefer.

His four changes represented a rare departure from the steady, consistent selection policy he favors. Erasmus is known for his innovation and his mastery of surprises. Borthwick is more known for being meticulous and thorough, but relatively conventional.

They are such contradictory figures. An Englishman who loves data and details, who studies line-outs on a laptop in his element and a South African known for pressing buttons in a different way; firing his own players and liquidating opponents.

These rival coaches also have a different status. Very different. Borthwick struggles in the court of public opinion. The English fans are still not happy with his regime and there are signs of unrest. Despite reaching the semi-finals of the World Cup, impatience is growing in the Shires.

Popularity eludes the man in charge here. For Erasmus that couldn’t be further away. He is the respected ruler of the Bok Kingdom – revered in his homeland as the mastermind of continued success and someone who has often stood up to global vitriol.

England’s early try against Twickenham failed to produce any response from their boss

Borthwick is struggling in the public eye and there is impatience in the Shires

This could not be more true for Erasmus, who is adored in his homeland

The thing about Borthwick is that he doesn’t crave praise. He doesn’t look for a place on a pedestal. He is content to operate out of sight. In a profession full of inflated egos, he has none.

What he does long for is Erasmus’ CV. A Premier League title victory with Leicester is a great club achievement, but it pales in comparison to two global conquests at Test level.

No wonder Erasmus can walk around with his hands in his pockets prior to such an important match. He has earned leeway. An occasional one-off loss won’t make or break his reputation, even if it clashes with the heightened expectations of the Springboks’ army of supporters.

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