Kiwi journalist Liam Napier suggests Springbok mastermind Rassie Erasmus has “gone into his shell” given his selections for Saturday’s clash against the All Blacks.
Erasmus on Monday kept much of the Bok 23 that lost the first Test of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry intact, with Siya Kolisi’s participation pending his recovery from a niggle.
Should Kolisi be passed fit, the two-time World Cup-winning skipper will link up with 11th Bok centurion in waiting, Pieter-Steph du Toit, in what would be the most experienced Springbok team ever fielded with a combined 1,012 Test caps.
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Writing for the New Zealand Herald, Napier contrasts Erasmus’ approach with his reaction to last September’s Eden Park loss, when sweeping changes favouring youth produced the Boks’ heaviest ever win over the All Blacks in Wellington.
Erasmus has recalled flyhalf Handré Pollard, a decision Napier reads as a clear signal South Africa will prioritise territory and kicking over ambitious attacking rugby.
He also highlights the overhaul of five bench spots, including the recall of 39-year-old Deon Fourie, as an admission Erasmus miscalculated his reserves selection last week.
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Napier notes Erasmus’ acknowledgment that the bench split “backfired”, alongside his repeated framing of the world champions as underdogs despite hosting the series.
“No big, bold statements. No experimentation. No mass starting changes following defeat,” Napier writes. “Has Rassie Erasmus gone into his shell?
“We’ve seen this play from Erasmus before … This time it’s different, though. Vastly different.
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“With the stakes significantly elevated compared to Wellington last year, conservatism prevailed. Has the perennial protagonist lost his spark?
“Attempts to frequently clutch the underdog status, having ceded No 1 ranking to the All Blacks, despite hosting this series, further projects the pressure Erasmus is under.
“No one doubts the Boks will do whatever it takes to level the series. But will blunt brutality, penalties, drop goals, a reshaped bench and high balls be enough?”
Photo: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images
The post Has Rassie lost his spark? appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Kiwi journalist Liam Napier suggests Springbok mastermind Rassie Erasmus has “gone into his shell” given his selections for Saturday’s clash against the All Blacks.
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