Rassie Erasmus' reply to Schalk Burger after he criticised the team

Rassie Erasmus had some shaded words for former Springbok lock Schalk Burger Snr, after the former player criticised the team following their second test loss to Wales in Bloemfontein.

The Springboks slipped to third in the global rankings after a second unimpressive showing to start the 2022 season which was noticed by Burger.

After just escaping with a 32-29 win over Wales in the first test, 14 changes were made to the side for the second test who then lost 13-12 after a late Josh Adams try secured Wales first ever win on South African soil.

Springboks press conference ahead of the third test

Springboks press conference ahead of the third test

After winning the 2019 Rugby World Cup with wins over Italy, Japan, Wales and England, the Springboks are now nine wins from 15 matches after skipping out on playing in 2020 at a win rate of 60 per cent.

After the disappointing loss to Wales, Burger wrote ‘you know some here is either showboating or we are much weaker than we think we are – no structure, coaching or game skills it is sad to say’ in an honest appraisal on Twitter.

Noted Oom Schalk thanks for your opinion it counts a lot 👍 https://t.co/o8A05uXgly

— Rassie Erasmus (@RassieRugby) July 12, 2022

Erasmus, no stranger to Twitter controversies, retweeted Burger’s comments with a seemingly snarky tone ‘Noted Oom Schalk thanks for your opinion, it counts a lot’.

Burger was also unhappy with the suggestion that the loss should be swallowed as it was a ‘B’ team, shooting it down as an acceptable excuse to experiment at the highest form of the game.

Test rugby is made up of an ethos of tradition over years of two countries playing one another and being proud of the outcomes that history presents – why change it for an experiment – there is a reason why it is Wales first win in SA and so who allowed it to happen? https://t.co/5yTWjlon2y

— Schalk Burger (@skalabrak) July 10, 2022

The Springboks retained just five players from the starting line-up for the third and final encounter as their confidence remains high of sealing the series in Cape Town.