Rassie Erasmus is delighted with the work ethic shown by new Springbok tighthead Carlü Sadie, yet is “disappointed” about the news of fellow prop Kai Pratt and his future.
Sadie is one of four debutants set to start Saturday’s Nations Championship clash against Wales at Kings Park, where the 29-year-old will pack down in the front row after a short stint with the Boks.
Erasmus believes Sadie has earned his shot after helping Bordeaux Bègles defend the Investec Champions Cup, before making his Bok bow in a non-cap Barbarians match last month.
“When he got into our system, Carlü had won the Champions Cup, and you don’t win it if you can’t scrum, and he was always starting for his team,” Erasmus said.
“We really think he deserves the opportunity because he’s been hanging in there for six weeks and his conditioning is just getting better and better.
“For Carlü to have a proper start to his Test career with a guy like Malcolm Marx next to him … it’s nice to have him in there.”
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Erasmus highlights the growing depth and competition for the No 3 jersey, with Thomas du Toit, Zach Porthen and Wilco Louw – named on the bench this week – strongly in the mix for the world champions.
“Thomas du Toit only played a half for us [against England], but Thomas had a long Premiership season for Bath … and he’s a naturally fit guy,” the Bok coach said.
“Zach, we’ve given a lot of opportunities and we really think Zach is one for the future.
“Wilco, we know what he can do. He has done a lot of good stuff for us off the bench. We will just keep working on his conditioning because he certainly knows how to scrum.”
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Erasmus was, however, saddened by the situation involving Pratt following last week’s revelation that the Junior Springbok tested positive for an anabolic steroid in April.
The outcome of a B-sample analysis will determine whether the matter proceeds to a formal hearing.
Asked during Monday’s team announcement presser on Pratt, who attended the Boks’ first alignment camp of 2026, Erasmus replied: “Disappointed, disbelief … I mean, a bright future ahead of him.
“He wasn’t involved with us when that happened so I don’t know what I can say to have a positive spin on this.
“It’s not nice, I hope the process gets done correctly and there was a mistake or something, but ja, I’ve got nothing else to say.”
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Photo: Richard Huggard/Gallo Images
The post The scrum champ deserving of his Bok shot appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Rassie Erasmus is delighted with the work ethic shown by new Springbok tighthead Carlü Sadie, yet is “disappointed” about the news of fellow prop Kai Pratt and his future.
The post The scrum champ deserving of his Bok shot appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
