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Schalk Brits on why Rassie Erasmus is 'rolling the dice' on the 7-1 split
By Ian Cameron
Schalk Brits has defended Springboks director of rugby Rassie Erasmus use of the 7-1 split in the Rugby World Cup final, as he feels the six-game slog the Boks faced in the lead-in must be mitigated.
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The former hooker won a World Cup in 2019 with the Boks and is hoping they go back-to-back and beat the All Blacks to secure the title for a second time on the trot.
“He (South Africa director of rugby, Rassie Erasmus) is rolling the dice,” said Brits. “He understands that playing the top six sides in the world was extremely tough on the bodies. There was definitely physical and mental fatigue when we played England.
“He is going all in on a proper South African strategy by dominating from a forward perspective and giving a bit of space for the backs to do what they do best, either kick some goals or make magic in the backline.
“I think this squad is better than we had in 2019. What is different is we can play both styles of the game. When all odds are against us, we grind it out and somehow find a way to win.
How Faf de Klerk and Handre Pollard control the tempo of the game will be vital for South Africa given they are going for a 7-1 split, argues Brits.
“Definitely now it [key performers] is our 9-10 combination. There’s only one combination in the team. They need to make sure that they save our pack, that we don’t over-run or over-exhaust our resources. We call it, ‘make sure that the energy flow in the team is great’.
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“The biggest thing with the 7:1 split is that we do need a bit of luck. One or two injuries, even on a 6:2 split can ruin the day.
“Everyone wants to wear the number one (starting) shirt but if the focus is not about entitlement then it’s not about me wearing that shirt but the best player for that specific role in that specific game who will be best equipped to do the best for the team. He (Erasmus) did sell it to the team that this is his best strategy.
“At times he (Erasmus) has got it wrong he has put his hands up and said ‘listen, I made a mistake and I’ll take ownership for that loss’. The players then trust in him, then you want to win for that guy.
“Most rugby players, most sports people are really competitive but unfortunately egos get in the way because it’s all about me, me, me. But the big thing we spoke about when we got together in 2018 was all about entitlement. First of all, we said we had to have faith in the coaches. Second that the decisions will be based on what is best for the team and not the individual. If you have got that sort of outlook, it’s quite easy then to move forward.
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“Rassie (Erasmus) is superb in managing first the expectations, focusing on what is important. Yes it’s important to win a rugby match, win a World Cup but the biggest focus we had was on issues we had back home. We couldn’t be disappointed about missed tackles or being tired because there was 60 million South Africans that didn’t have food, didn’t power, didn’t have water. We didn’t have the luxury to sit and feel sorry for ourselves.
“Get your arse off the ground, go tackle and run and add value to the team.”
Well, he could always do what he did against France and fake HIAs to get subbed players back on.
The 75th minute Mbonambi HIA was a joke. He had no head contact in the predicting 10 minutes. He went down at the back of the maul holding his shoulder. The medics came on and treated his shoulder.
He then goes off for a HIA allowing the previously subbed du Toit to return.
“He understands that playing the top six sides in the world was extremely tough on the bodies. There was definitely physical and mental fatigue when we played England.”
100% agree.
SA have no choice but to pursue a traditional forward dominated approach due to fatigue.
Due to the ridiculous draw we almost had a final of 8th Versus 4th in the world with the top 3 missing.
The fact that this has been going on since 2003 is infuriating.
SA should also note another fatigue mismatch (not as severe as now but a factor) in the Semi in 2015.
After the draw was made the schedule was decided by three parties: ITV; English RU; NZ RU.
NZ played their pool decider V Argentina in pool match 1 (their preferred position). Their opponents in the Quarter were the second place team of Fra/Ire. That match was scheduled 6 DAYS before the NZ QTR. NZ put 62 points on France and were completely fresh for the Semi with SA which they narrowly won.
SA had a very tough quarter against a red hot Wales which they narrowly won. New Zealand won the semi by 2 points. Would SA have won with fairer scheduling: who knows? Fatigue having an oversized affect in deciding a world cup due to scheduling: NZ in charge of scheduling.