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International

Rassie Erasmus is not entirely happy with his Springboks

By Ian Cameron

98 days ago

Rassie Erasmus - PA

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus wasn’t entirely happy with his Springboks despite their win against Wales at Twickenham on Saturday.

A strong second-half performance saw them overcome a narrow 14-13 halftime lead to secure a 41-13 victory.

Both teams had opportunities to score more points but were held back by strong defense and crucial errors.

Rassie Erasmus explains the way forward

The Springboks now go into the Castle Lager Incoming Series which kicks off in two weeks against Ireland and Portugal.

“It wasn’t a perfect performance,” said Erasmus. “We made a few errors and there were things that didn’t click, but there were others that did, so it was a good start.

“We have new coaches and had a few players making their debuts, so there were areas of the game that were not as good as we would have liked it to be, but there was certainly no lack of effort and intensity, and we realise it will take time for things together nicely.

“The important thing is that we achieved our goal and the players who made their debuts showed that they are capable at playing at this level.”

“It was a tough match as it always is against Wales. I thought our scrums went well, but we didn’t dominate the collisions. We also conceded a try, but we scored five and we could have scored a more, but those are things we need to work on going forward.”

Erasmus added: “It was a beneficial game for us because some players were not eligible for selection and a guy like Jasper Wiese is still out (on suspension), while some of the Japanese players haven’t played in a while. But the young guys stepped up to the plate and played really well.”

Erasmus said the medical team would assess any injuries before flying to South Africa on Sunday night. They will also consider injuries in the Vodacom Bulls camp following their Vodacom United Rugby Championship final against Glasgow Warriors before finalizing their squad. The Springboks will arrive in South Africa on Monday.

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Comments

3 Comments

John 94 days ago

was at the game. Boks seemed really out of sync on offense but its to be expected

Ppl just looked rusty

Justin 97 days ago

And Rassie has a new bff. Tony Brown

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Comments on RugbyPass

SC 21 minutes ago

Why Robertson laughed when asked about Sam Cane & TJ Perenara’s futures

Drop: Tu’ungafasi, Cane, Perenara, Havili, Tele’a,

Add: Numia, Lakai, Roigard, Lam, Narawa,

1 Go to comments

GrahamVF 21 minutes ago

South Africa romp to first Rugby Championship win since 2019

Bongi doesn't score. Goal line drop out. Statistically the Boks score off 50% goal line dropouts. If you auntie had gonads she'd be your uncle. Now go and polish your reverse crystal ball. And next time round try to beat the BI Lions, and don't let the Aussies get to within a whisker and don't get clobbered at home by the Argies and don't lose a home series to a NH side and until 1970 the Boks were way ahead of the AB's and yes otherwise a very good question. But when you wake up tomorrow morning the Boks will have beaten the AB's five times out of the last six and the are the champions of the world and of the SH. Now make up another "if" and then sing: "No I don't believe in if anymore - if's an illusion - if is for children."

7 Go to comments

Another 26 minutes ago

How the All Blacks are enduring pain now in readiness for 2027 RWC crusade

I think the factor is which one will best combine with their respective Fly Half best. Horses for courses: if you want a direct, physical running threat then Roigard but if you want speedy pass and support then Ratima. I feel that Roigard goes best with Barrett and Ratima with MacKenzie.

Also, I like the alliterative ring of Roigard and Ratima!

43 Go to comments

Flankly 30 minutes ago

South Africa romp to first Rugby Championship win since 2019

The begrudgers came out after the 2019 RWC, and again after B&I Lions tour, and after the 2023 RWC, and now again after TRC 2024.

Why has rugby developed this bad sportsmanship culture? SA played the cards they were dealt, and won TRC by 10 points. What's wrong with "Congrats and see you next year"?

7 Go to comments

Another 30 minutes ago

How the All Blacks are enduring pain now in readiness for 2027 RWC crusade

It wasn’t a dead rubber. The ABs had to beat a 6 year hoodoo and had other aspects of their game under scrutiny. Australia also had things to prove. So it was important to both teams. Moreover, on the strength of yesterday’s results, the ABs move ahead of Argentina to claim 2nd spot at least. Next year, they will want to go one better.

43 Go to comments

Another 36 minutes ago

How the All Blacks are enduring pain now in readiness for 2027 RWC crusade

I think the forwards have been better than you describe but the problem has been well documented about getting the same return in the final 20 minutes. I think having players like Tuipolutu return gives more confidence towards using the bench. I also would like to see the return of Taukei’aho whose powerful influence has been missed at times.

The loose forward combination includes 2 world class performers now and one gap to fill, assuming Sam Cane’s time is up. The third spot loosie selection and how the unit combines is the key to the ABs being successful in the future.

France and Ireland will be tough but saying it and actually delivering on that promise are two different things in sport. If they turn up, the ABs will need to be ready for them - bring it on!

43 Go to comments

BC 42 minutes ago

‘It shows the heart the girls have’: Charge down secures dramatic draw for Dutch

I was pleasantly surprised and impressed by the Dutch and thought they were a bit unlucky not to come away with the win. A bit better game management at the end and they would have done. I expected it to be a straightforward win for Samoa. I confess to my ignorance of Dutch rugby.

Interesting point about time for a conversion. A similar thing happened to Holly Aitcheson against the BFs. The team celebrated so long over the tries that she was hurried into her conversion attempts. Celebrate by all means but get the ball straightaway to the kicker so she can prepare.

The question now is - am I going to stay up late for the Canada/France match tomorrow which I think could be the game of WXV1 this year. With Canada's recent form I cannot call it - home advantage might sway it.

1 Go to comments

Another 42 minutes ago

How the All Blacks are enduring pain now in readiness for 2027 RWC crusade

Evolution not revolution. The All Blacks need to keep evolving through selection and strategies to keep an upwards curve. That is all I require, as a fan. They will make mistakes and even be beaten by better teams on the day - but they need to keep improving. Ultimately, NZ still produces enough World Class talent (and Sititi is that, should we have any doubt about this) to be able to win the World Cup - but they have to be the smartest team around to do so, these days.

I think the team is starting to ‘track’ - and hopefully the inclusion of returning players like Blackadder, Roigard, Love, Perefeta, Takei’aho (when will he return?) will bolster the end of year squad. Maybe next year, a few more faces may re-emerge like Leicester Fainga’anuku, Shannon Frizell, Ritchie Mu’unga and possibly the Otago lock, Fabien Holland.

43 Go to comments

Teddy 58 minutes ago

Everyone knows the Springboks' ranking was puffed up

It's full bragging rights. We beat the boks.

Why does rugby and Ireland make you rant about the blood pump in a cock?

Does it get you going or is it just you that a 'semi' is beyond?

Erectile dysfunction would be a common side effect of steroid abuse...

308 Go to comments

BC 1 hour ago

Wales get WXV humbling by Australia in Cape Town

You may be right, whichever they have great difficulty in scoring points and when they do it is often a one metre dive over the line from a forward or from a lineout maul, not from a passing movement. I certainly don't include Jaz Joyce in my comments but she rarely gets the ball. Unless they can put points on the board they will continue to struggle. I sometimes think they should kick penalties when there is a good chance of adding 3 points to give them some momentum, but that would take away one of their best attacking options, the maul. They seem to be falling behind the other 6N teams. The Italy match next week might tell us more.

5 Go to comments