“Haven’t Studied Them”: Why Erasmus Is Ignoring New Zealand’s Squad Announcement

Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus says he has paid little attention to the All Blacks’ newly announced squad, despite the excitement surrounding New Zealand’s selections for the upcoming Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series.

New Zealand recently named an extended squad under head coach Dave Rennie, sparking widespread discussion about the players and combinations that could feature in the highly anticipated four-Test series. However, Erasmus revealed that he has only briefly looked at the squad and has not yet analysed it in detail.

“I saw the squad was announced and had a brief look at it, but I definitely haven’t studied it enough,” Erasmus said.

“To be honest, we didn’t watch a lot of Super Rugby. It sounds like everybody is really excited about the squad, and obviously the way they played in their first three games was really impressive.”

Asked whether New Zealand’s apparent shift towards a bigger, more physical squad, combined with a high-tempo attacking game, could produce a fascinating clash of styles against the Springboks, Erasmus said it was still too early to draw conclusions.

“I think it’s difficult to say now, being three weeks out from the first match,” he said.

“It’s an interesting squad and, as I said, I really haven’t studied them in detail because it would be very unfair to the players who play next week against Argentina, let alone Argentina.”

Erasmus also admitted he only learned during the media conference that All Blacks captain Ardie Savea may not be available for the opening fixtures of the series, adding that player availability always creates tactical questions for both teams.

“I hadn’t heard or seen that Ardie Savea isn’t in the squad for the first couple of games. I just heard it from you guys now,” Erasmus admitted.

“Then you ask yourself, will he be match-fit if he rests now for two weeks? We’ve got those kinds of questions about ourselves as well.”

Rather than committing to a specific game plan, Erasmus said the Springboks’ approach would depend on both player selection and current form.

“If we play Sacha, or Handré, or Manie, will one adapt to a more kicking-based game or will one play a more running game?”

He said the same considerations apply at scrumhalf.

“If you play Cobus Reinach or you play Morne van den Berg, it will depend on the team we pick and how they are performing in their franchise matches.”

The Springbok coach confirmed that the squad for the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series will only be finalised after South Africa’s Test against Argentina.

“We’ll analyse all of that, and that’s why the squad for the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series will only be finalised after the Argentina match.”

Erasmus also revealed that several Springbok players have been released to their provincial teams to ensure they continue getting valuable game time before the international series.

“A few players that we have also released to their provinces, we feel, need game time. A guy like Embrose Papier is a classic example,” said the former Munster coach

He explained that the Springboks currently need to give Cobus Reinach and Morne van den Berg more international minutes.

“On the international front, we have to get game time into Krappies and Cobus. So the two of them will go on tour if they don’t sustain an injury.”

That decision, Erasmus said, allows Papier to remain with the Bulls as they prepare for their own high-profile clash against the All Blacks.

“Taking Embrose with us takes away his opportunity to train with the Bulls, who are playing against the All Blacks, whereas Herschel doesn’t have any club commitments now. That’s why a guy like Herschel will go with.”

Although the coaching staff already has a clear picture of much of the touring squad, Erasmus stressed that places remain available for players who impress over the coming weeks.

“Those kinds of things are going to be interesting. How does Embrose perform for the Bulls against the All Blacks? How does Tuks Mchunu do for the Stormers? How does Vusi Moyo perform for the Sharks?”

The Springbok coach added that players not expected to feature in the opening Test could be released to their franchises, giving them another opportunity to strengthen their case for selection.

“We’ll try and release the guys we feel might not be involved in the first Test match.”

At the same time, Erasmus made it clear that strong performances against Argentina could still reshape his plans.

“Guys can play themselves into the squad if others don’t perform well against Argentina.”