Erasmus Issues Serious Warning To Springboks After ‘Epic’ All Black Triumph
Rassie Erasmus hailed the Springboks’ 29-24 victory over the All Blacks at FNB Stadium as an “epic” encounter, but was quick to remind everyone that the job is far from finished.
The Springboks produced another dramatic performance in front of a huge Soweto crowd on Saturday to take a 2-1 lead in the four-Test Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series, with the final Test set to take place in Baltimore next weekend.
For Erasmus, however, the scoreline reflected just how little separated the two sides.
“I thought it was epic,” Erasmus said. “A really intense battle, and both teams lost some vital players.
“It was fierce in every department. The scoreboard was close at the end, and we’re just happy we won.”
Despite the victory, Erasmus refused to suggest that the Springboks had been clearly superior to their great rivals.
“We envy the way they handle the ball, and I’m not sitting here today saying we’re awesome,” he admitted.
The All Blacks caused the Springboks plenty of problems with their ability to retain possession and attack from broken field, particularly during the opening exchanges.
“All of us know how well they can handle the ball,” Erasmus said. “They’re brilliant at that. None of us can say they don’t keep it alive, and they played to their strengths.”
New Zealand’s fast start also put the Springboks under pressure, with the All Blacks leading for much of the first half before South Africa fought their way back into the contest.
Erasmus acknowledged that the occasion and the importance of the match had affected both teams.
“We know that both teams were nervous,” he said, emphasising the enormous pressure surrounding the third Test.
The Springboks ultimately found a way through their physicality and set-piece strength, particularly in the forward exchanges, but Erasmus stressed that the result could easily have gone the other way.
“It’s small margins,” he said, acknowledging that there was an element of luck involved in determining the outcome.
Both teams scored four tries, underlining just how closely matched they were, while South Africa’s ability to exert pressure through the scrum and their forwards ultimately proved decisive.
The victory also came at a high cost.
Cheslin Kolbe was forced from the field early in the match and was later confirmed to have suffered a broken jaw, ruling him out of the final Test.
Erasmus admitted that losing key players was an unfortunate aspect of such an intense encounter.
“Both teams lost some vital players,” he said.
The Springbok coach was also pleased with the way his team responded to the adversity during the match, particularly after conceding early points and finding themselves under pressure.
South Africa eventually wrestled back control, with Jesse Kriel and Malcolm Marx among the players who crossed the line as the Boks established a decisive advantage in the second half.
Yet Erasmus knows that New Zealand will have one final opportunity to level the series in Baltimore.
“We’re just happy we won,” he said, before turning his attention towards the fourth Test.
“Now we must try and replicate that in Baltimore.”
The result means South Africa have won two consecutive Tests against the All Blacks after losing the opening match of the series, but Erasmus remains wary of declaring victory too early.
The Springboks may have the advantage, but against the All Blacks, there is no room for complacency.
The series has already delivered three fiercely contested matches, and with only one Test remaining, Erasmus knows another battle awaits in the United States.
