Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus declared himself a satisfied man after a week-long preparation camp last month in Stellenbosch, ahead of the current tour north.
The Boks already faced England and France, with matches against Scotland and Wales remaining.
“We had to make sure that [during the preparation camp], players reach match intensity,” said Erasmus.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus said in Stellenbosch the tour to the northern hemisphere will be another tough test of his team’s character. Photo: Kamva Somdyala
The Boks played The Roses for the fourth time this year, having successfully beaten them 2-1 in the Boks’ incoming tour in June.
On the challenge of playing in the northern hemisphere, where conditions are dry and the ball travels slowly, Erasmus said the players need to adapt.
“It’s not about the conditions. We know about them. It’s about how players adapt,” the Bok mentor said, before adding that the conditions will make the game slower than what the Boks have been accustomed to this year.
MFM breakfast sports anchor Nick Archibald predicted a three from four win for the Boks this November. “England at Twickenham will be tough. I believe as the first game of the tour, it will be telling.” His prediction seems on track so far, with the Boks just losing 12-11 against England and beating France 26-29.
“With the Boks, you’re always half and half; we came off a great series win [against England], beat Argentina in Durban [in the opening game of the Rugby Championship] and then suffered back-to-back losses [against Argentina and Australia]. Then all of a sudden we’re beating the All Blacks in New Zealand.”
Erasmus has again been bold in his selections for the upcoming tour, adding three uncapped players to his squad. Photo: Kamva Somdyala
Archibald believes the Boks are on the right track, though. “Erasmus has been very open about his decisions. Players know where they stand.”
He attributes Siya Kolisi’s captain appointment as one such open decision, a sentiment that is shared by Bok winger and World Rugby Breakthrough of the Year award nominee, Aphiwe Dyantyi, who speaks openly about Kolisi’s captaincy.
“He [Kolisi] relies on the collective rather than just himself as captain,” Dyantyi begins. “If there are issues with the scrum, players know to speak with Beast Mtawarira. If there are problems on defence, it’s Duane Vermeulen.”
Aphiwe Dyantyi received his Bok call-up this year and has spoken boldly about the influence of captain Siya Kolisi on young players such as himself. Photo: @Springboks/Twitter
Dyantyi added, “I admire the fact that he understands himself … he doesn’t lead by talking but rather by how he plays.”
Having named his squad for the tour, Erasmus again has been bold in his selection of players (the recall of utility back Gio Aplon and the inclusion of the uncapped trio of winger Sergeal Petersen, centre Ruhan Nel and young lock JD Schickerling as an example). What’s more, Erasmus has been forthright this year when admitting to getting selections wrong. “I have to justify why I pick certain players, especially when it comes to overseas based players over local ones.
“It will be interesting to see how quickly we can get things right [with the current squad].”
Springbok squad:
Forwards – Schalk Brits, Lood de Jager, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Thomas du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Steven Kitshoff, Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi (c), Francois Louw, Wilco Louw, Frans Malherbe, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Franco Mostert, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Trevor Nyakane, JD Schickerling, RG Snyman, Duane Vermeulen, Warren Whiteley.
Backs – Gio Aplon, Damian de Allende, Aphiwe Dyantyi, André Esterhuizen, Elton Jantjies, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Wille le Roux, Ruhan Nel, Sbu Nkosi, Embrose Papier, Sergeal Petersen, Handré Pollard, Louis Schreuder, Ivan van Zyl, Damian Willemse.
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