Dermody was delighted to see two of his forwards play key roles in the All Blacks’ wonderful 35-23 win over the Springboks at Ellis Park.
Tyro prop Ethan de Groot celebrated his sixth test cap, and just a second start, with a powerful display at scrum time, and blindside flanker Shannon Frizell delivered the mix of physicality, defensive impact and lineout ability that must have given him a chance to lay claim to the problematic No 6 jersey.
Dermody has a vested interest in the efforts of both men as he has played a major role in getting them to test standard - and, naturally, he wants them fit and confident for Super Rugby come February.
"It was obviously a massive occasion," Dermody said yesterday.
"I haven’t had a chance to talk to them yet as they’re on their way back, but I’m really happy for both of them.
"Ethan, it was pretty well documented what he needed to work on, and to be able to do it for 50 minutes at Ellis Park in that test match was a really cool thing to watch.
"Then I guess the physicality that Shannon showed was something the All Blacks have been asking for from him for a couple of years. He’s shown it in Super Rugby, year on year, for us and to be able to do it for 60-odd minutes against a physical team was really pleasing.
"Hopefully, that means they’re both going to be there for a while now."
Dermody, who like de Groot was a prop from Southland who made it to test rugby, wants to see the youngster continue to thrive.
"Super Rugby is a bit different to test rugby, but he’s definitely suited to the way test matches are played at the moment.
"Ethan is a big man, and I guess the game is a bit more free-flowing at Super Rugby level, but I’m sure he’ll be able to change his body for us and keep working on his fitness, because that will make him a better test player as well."
The coach will get a chance to see another bunch of his players in action this weekend.
Dermody hopes to watch the Otago Schools Rugby Championship final on Saturday - brother Jason coaches Southland Boys’ against John McGlashan - then will head to Invercargill on Sunday to watch the NPC derby between Southland and Otago.
He is a Stags great but he has more Highlanders players in the Otago squad, so he has a foot in both camps.
He will stay on for a few days to spend some time with Southland coach Dale McLeod and his assistants, former team-mates James Wilson and David Hall, to look at how the Stags are tracking.
"I’ve been impressed with their work ethic and they’ve pushed two pretty good teams close.
"I can understand Dale’s frustration at not being able to turn that into wins, but I’m sure if they can keep it close in the coming weeks, they’ll start beating teams."
Dermody felt Otago would have been disappointed with how it played in the first half of the loss to Counties-Manukau.
More pleasing were the signs, especially in the win over Tasman, of the Highlanders in the squad playing well and some of the younger men also shining.
It is nearly two months since Dermody was confirmed as Highlanders coach, and while there have been no games to coach, he has had plenty to keep him occupied.
"There’s plenty going on. It’s been busy, but busy in a different way. A lot of it has been around planning and I guess learning about the organisation outside of rugby, and the business side of what goes on.
"It’s all stuff that is pretty new to an old scrum coach."
Dermody is flying solo for now. He spoke to mentor Chris Boyd, who is packing up his house in England, this week, skills coach Riki Flutey is on Otago duty, and the rest of his coaching staff is waiting to be confirmed.
A though review of the disappointing 2022 season had "fuelled" his first weeks on the job.
"It’s quite nice now just to be watching some rugby and seeing how some of our boys are going."
