Rassie Erasmus struck a measured but quietly intense tone on Tuesday ahead of the Springboks’ clash with England. CLINTON VAN DER BERG reports.
Addressing the media, the Bok coach grounded his message in pragmatism, squad depth and a deep awareness of the challenges that lie ahead.
Erasmus made it clear that recent injury concerns at lock had prompted contingency planning rather than panic.
With players “one or two weeks away,” the priority is ensuring cover should anything happen in the buildup or during the match.
Bringing Ruben van Heerden back into the fold reflects both that need for readiness and a belief that he “deserves to be here”, having narrowly missed out previously when the squad became “too big”.
While the absence of certain locks is significant, Erasmus rejected the notion that it exposes a vulnerability. Instead, he pointed to the adaptability within the squad, highlighting options like Pieter-Steph du Toit covering lock and the versatility of loose forwards.
Still, he acknowledged the undeniable impact of missing key players, like RG Snyman: “If you don’t have him in your team, you will have less impact.”
Reflecting on his tenure since 2018, Erasmus described the Springbok environment as a place of familiarity and resilience, shaped by “really tough times and some really, really great times”.
It is this shared journey that continues to drive him. More than results, his greatest concern is the unity the team fosters back home.
“My biggest fear is not losing – we must lose – it’s probably the feeling we’ve got in South Africa. Togetherness, the fear of giving that away. It’s why we work so hard, because we love them.
“We’ve had some tough times, and some really good times.”
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He cautioned strongly against underestimating England despite their recent losses, emphasising how quickly fortunes can shift in Test rugby.
“A week is a long time,” he noted, recalling heavy defeats that were followed by narrow contests or championship triumphs.
For Erasmus, form lines and public opinion mean little without proper analysis: “We’re under no illusions … we know what we’re getting into.”
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Internally, competition remains fierce. Erasmus drew a clear distinction between players chasing caps and those committed to collective success.
“You get two types of Boks: those who will do anything for the team, and those who will do anything to win. We prefer the latter.”
Selection, he explained, balances fairness, form and future planning, even as the team’s immediate goal remains unchanged – “to try and beat England on Saturday”.
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Finally, on broader tactical evolutions, Erasmus welcomed improved communication around interpretations of laws, particularly at scrum time, believing these refinements “will have a massive impact” on how the game is contested.
Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
The post ‘We prefer Boks who will do anything to win’ appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Rassie Erasmus struck a measured but quietly intense tone on Tuesday ahead of the Springboks’ clash with England.
The post ‘We prefer Boks who will do anything to win’ appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
