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Rassie Erasmus receives glowing endorsement from president of South Africa

After three matches in charge, new Springboks head coach has received a ringing endorsement from His Excellency Cyril Ramaphosa, South Africa’s current president.

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“I just wanted firstly to thank you, on behalf of the country, for having such a great success in the Tests that you’ve run against England,” Ramaphosa is seen telling Erasmus over the phone in a video from SABC News.

“We are very, very proud. The achievement has been phenomenal and the performance of your team has been truly, truly outstanding and you’ve made us very, very proud. Extremely proud.”

“I’m sorry that I’ve not been able to have time to attend any of the matches, but I know that even in my absence I knew that you would be carrying the support and the great spirit of the people of South Africa so we want to thank you,” Ramaphosa continues.

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“Secondly, we want to wish you the very best for tomorrow’s Test. I have no doubt that you are going to be able to excel and teach the Brits once more a good lesson. You have put together an outstanding squad and you have been doing very well, and we are all very proud of you.”

45-year-old former Springbok loose forward Erasmus was named South Africa’s new Director of Rugby in June 2017 after coaching stints with Irish PRO14 club Munster and the Bulls and Cheetahs Super Rugby sides.

Erasmus represented South Africa 36 times as a player between 1997 and 2001, captaining the side once.

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His inaugural Test series in charge of the national side will conclude Saturday evening, as his Springboks attempt to sweep England 3-0 at Newlands.

In other news:

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R
RedWarrior 1 hour ago
Three-way race to be number one in World Rugby men's rankings

IF SA and NZ win then its 1,2,3 SA/NZ/IRL Otherwise as you were. This is largely irrelevant beyond bragging rights.


As I have pointed out elsewhere the practical use of the Rankings is to determine the seedings bands for the RWC draw. The draw takes place early 2026 and hopefully the rankings will be taken from then.


Important to be in the top 6, the top 12. (and likely the top 4).

This is because there are now 6 groups in the RWC 2027.

If you are in top 6 you are in Seeding Band 1. That means none of the other top 6 will be in your group.

Seeding Band 2 are teams from 7-12, who will have a top 6 team but no other 7-12 team.

After England's defeat by NZ there is clear water between NZ in 3rd, France in 4th and England in 5th. England are desperate for top4, ill come back and explain why later.

Lets look at Seeding Band 1 and 6th place. If you make 6th, no top 6 team is in your group, you are top dog. If you win your group, you won't be facing a top 6 team in your 1/8th final, you will be facing a weaker team. If you fail to make 6th place you WILL have a top 6 team in your group and if you don't win your group you WILL (probably) meet a top 6 in the 1/8 final. That's massive.


Its Argentina holding 6th now. Assuming England hold 5th, then its a 4 horse race for 6th. Argentina, Scotland, Italy and ...Australia. (ranked 6,7,8,9)

Australia play the Lions in NH summer 2025 they are running out of time to get up to 6th for their own RWC. They MUST make a move now. They must beat Wales and they really must beat Scotland to gain points and take points off them. Could they surprise England or Ireland? England may be the better bet but Schmidt knows Ireland so well having masterminded their downfall in France.

Another one to watch is Italy V Argentina. Italy are ambitious and they will want to start pushing the likes of Argentina. If they win this they are still in the hunt. Well worth a watch either way.


Top4: I think the top 6 will be seeded, all the way through from the draw. If thats the case then the top 4 will be seeded to avoid each other until the semi. Good for more certainty around ticket sales etc. That's a possible reason why England want in there. You're not in there you are hitting a top 4 team in a QF. That's an extra 50:50 match you can do without and avoid by being top 4.


Lets look at what Seeding bands might look like with todays rankings:


Seeding Band 1

IRE/SA/NZ/FRA/ENG/ARG

Seeding Band 2

SCO/ITA/AUS/FIJ/WAL/GEO


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: FIJI

1/8 final opponent GEORGIA

Prognosis: advance to 1/4 and potentially beyond


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if NOT in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: SOUTH AFRICA

1/8 final opponent NEW ZEALAND

Prognosis: You know the prognosis


I am pretty sure this is not lost on Joe Schmidt?


Keep in mind when enjoying the matches.

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