The Springboks are determined to avoid any loss of momentum as they begin their Nations Championship campaign against England at Ellis Park on Saturday.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus warned that a slow start could allow doubt to creep into the squad ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
Erasmus said the shock 38-22 defeat to the Wallabies at Ellis Park in last year’s Rugby Championship opener had been a stark reminder for the world champions.
The Boks had surged into a 22-0 lead inside 18 minutes and looked on course for a record-breaking win before crumbling in the face of an inspired Australia under Joe Schmidt.
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Erasmus’ charges recovered by beating the Wallabies in Cape Town and thrashing the All Blacks in Wellington before winning back-to-back Tests against Argentina to secure the Rugby Championship title.
The Boks then completed an unbeaten end-of-year tour with victories over Japan, France, Italy, Ireland and Wales.
The Springboks face England at Ellis Park, Scotland at Loftus Versfeld and Wales at Kings Park in the opening rounds of the Nations Championship this month.
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“If you don’t do well in the first three Tests and then have to face Argentina in Buenos Aires [in a one-off Test on 8 August], it becomes difficult,” the Bok coach said in Johannesburg on Monday.
“You don’t want to lose momentum and confidence in a year before the World Cup.
“Apart from the Nations Championship, this year is also the first time we are playing against the All Blacks in the Greatest Rivalry series.”
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Photo: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images
The post Boks eager to keep that winning feeling appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
The Springboks are determined to avoid any loss of momentum as they begin their Nations Championship campaign against England at Ellis Park on Saturday.
The post Boks eager to keep that winning feeling appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
