Paul Lewis argues the Springboks’ outstanding starting XV may double as the back-to-back world champions’ biggest weakness heading into 2027.
Writing for the New Zealand Herald, Lewis says South Africa deserved to win the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series and grew stronger across all four Tests against the All Blacks.
He rates the Boks’ frontline talent as the best in the world across several positions, but says Rassie Erasmus tends to default back to his tried and trusted options rather than fully test his reserves.
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With South Africa drawn to face New Zealand in a possible World Cup quarter-final next year, Lewis says this is All Blacks boss Dave Rennie’s window to prepare.
He urges the Kiwis to firm up their scrum, sharpen their attack close to the ruck and tighten their defence and kick-receiving before that one-off collision arrives.
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“You’d expect the flame of ambition to fade a little after back-to-back World Cup successes. Nope. Watch them sing their national anthem. The fires still burn bright; they are the firmest of favourites for a third consecutive World Cup next year,” Lewis writes.
“However, that outstanding Boks lineup may be its own weakness. Rassie Erasmus has built depth but the replacements have the expertise and experience of the old guard … but not surprisingly tends to default to his tried and true, a year older by World Cup time.
“This, right now, is Rennie’s time, when he really goes to work.”
Photo: Michael Franken/Michael Franken Photography
The post Kiwi scribe: Rassie too trusting of old guard appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Paul Lewis argues the Springboks’ outstanding starting XV may double as the back-to-back world champions’ biggest weakness heading into 2027.
The post Kiwi scribe: Rassie too trusting of old guard appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
