Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has described his side’s latest showdown with the All Blacks as one of the most intense contests of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry. CLINTON VAN DER BERG reports.
The world champions won the third Test of the series 29-24 at FNB Stadium on Saturday to take a 2-1 lead into next Saturday’s decider in Baltimore, USA.
“I thought it was epic,” he said. “A really intense battle, and both teams lost some vital players.
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“It was fierce in every department. The scoreboard was close at the end, and we’re just happy we won.
“We envy the way they handle the ball, and I’m not sitting here today saying we’re awesome.”
The coach admitted New Zealand’s fast start had rattled his side.
“All of us know how well they can handle the ball, they’re brilliant at that, none of us can say they don’t keep it alive, and they played to their strengths.”
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Erasmus conceded his team had failed to make the most of key moments, including a period playing with the wind.
“There were penalties we could have slotted from distance, a couple of knock-ons, simple errors out wide that we didn’t capitalise on. But over 80 minutes it evened out.”
On the scrum, an area of contention after last week’s Test, Erasmus was adamant the battle had been far more even than the narrative suggested.
“I don’t think we were dominant at scrum time today, I think it was pretty even, and it could easily have gone against us.”
“We love our set-piece, we love scrumming, but we love mauling just as much.”
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Erasmus was keen to put the scrum debate to bed entirely.
“I’m glad the narrative around scrums gets parked now after tonight. It’s not really a South African thing to obsess over the scrum. There were scrums tonight where we were under real pressure, and we were relieved when they got the ball away rather than resetting again and again.”
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With the result finishing four tries apiece, Erasmus pointed to fine margins rather than dominance in any one facet.
“There were big moments that swung the game, both yellow cards [to flyhalves Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Ruben Love] played a part.
“When we went two scores ahead there was a nine-minute spell where you start to feel safe, but then New Zealand showed exactly why they’re the calibre of side they are and came right back at us.”
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The post Rassie hails ‘epic’ battle appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has described his side’s latest showdown with the All Blacks as one of the most intense contests of the rivalry.
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