Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus posed a cautionary tone ahead of his side’s return Castle Lager Rugby Championship match against Australia in Perth this Saturday, even though the odds are heavily stacked in their favour.
Erasmus had hinted last week that if the Boks were to win the game in Perth they would look at making more changes and giving more young blood an opportunity to stake a claim in the side ahead of the All Black tests when they get back to South Africa.
The Bok coach has been consistent in his belief over the past six years that if the results go their way, then the plan stays the same. And with their big win in Brisbane over the weekend, it is likely the plan will stay the same, albeit perhaps not as big as the Bok fans might want.
The reality check is that the Wallabies will have a week to regroup and be better. And they will bring in different personnel as well. While this may not even the scales, it will make the challenge a bit different for the Boks this week.
And as Erasmus likes to remind his players – the main thing needs to remain the main thing – in other words, winning is still the first priority.
The Boks have one away victory under their belts and will significantly improve their chances of winning the Rugby Championship if they add another away win in Perth on Saturday. And while there is a big appetite to blood some young blood in this test, whatever the calculation is to ensure another victory will take precedence over that desire.
Erasmus hinted at that on Saturday after the game when asked how much they were looking towards the future, and underlined the fact that some of the more senior players are happy to stand back to give some youngsters a chance to establish themselves.
That has a double benefit for the Boks in the long run, as it prolongs the careers of some of those already in their 30s, while giving the young players some great mentorship as they become recognised international names. But at the same time, those getting the opportunity need to prove they are up to the level of international test rugby and all that comes with it.
“We are definitely looking at the future without looking too far ahead because the present then bites you but for me, the nicest thing for us as a management group and SA Rugby is the fact that the players understand that,” Erasmus explained. Some guys are happy to stand back a little bit and help grow the youngsters because eventually some of the youngsters are going to get a rude awakening as they become better players because the opposition gets tougher.
“Like next week, Marika Koroibete could be back for the Wallabies and if he slams one or two guys they must be able to handle it and then the big dogs must help them.Ad
“But we certainly have an eye on the future but staying in the present, trying to do both.” With the Boks unlikely to replace RG Snyman and Ruan Nortje, even though both withdrew before the Brisbane game, it is likely that both will play a part in the match day 23.
And looking at the young brigade that played well in Brisbane, it would be tough to drop any of Ben-Jason Dixon, Elrigh Louw or Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu. All three got more than a pass mark from Erasmus, although he did point out their performances were not flawless.
“I think so, overall they played really well,” he said referring to Louw and Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
“Salmaan Moerat came on and also did well, it’s a pity that Marco van Staden got a yellow but I thought he and Kwagga Smith brought good energy.
“But we wanted the two guys earning their fifth caps and first starts, Elrigh and Sacha, to experience what it is like to play at a venue where we normally really struggle and against a team that we have a lot of history with and see how they go.”
“They certainly weren’t perfect performances from them but there was no lack of effort or confidence which is probably the most delighted one can be about their performances.
With that in mind Erasmus can make a few more tweaks without upsetting the rhythm. It wouldn’t be untoward to see the likes of Gerhard Steenekamp get a start, for instance, nor Grant Williams starting ahead of Cobus Reinach.
The real question is just how much Erasmus would want to experiment, and whether it includes a start at hooker for either Johan Grobbelaar or Jan-Hendrik Wessels, both of whom made their debut against Portugal?
Given the squad at their disposal, there are a limited number of young players they can give a start – other than the hookers and Steenekamp. Nortje is with the team and may get a shot at the match 23, but at loose forward both Louw and Dixon impressed and are likely to stay in one form or another.
Williams and Feinberg-Mngomezulu at halfback are already part of the 23, and the midfield is as experienced as it gets. The only other player with a shot is fullback Aphelele Fassi, who may have been the player hinted at by Erasmus in his quip about Koroibete.
Either way, the mantra will be win first, and if players fit into that equation, then more changes.
“Next week is a new test and we want to give other players a chance, but that said we know Joe Schmidt and how he can turn things around,” said Erasmus.
“He’s only had four games with Australia, and next week is a new game and a new venue, and we are expecting a big challenge.”
“Next week is going to be a completely different challenge and we know it will be tougher, so we need to remain focused and keep working hard.”
With three yellow cards in the last quarter of the game, and a number of points left out on the field, there is much for the Boks to work on. The Wallabies will be better this week, and the Boks know it.
That makes the challenge of getting the selection right, while looking to the future, all the more important. And is what will drive the team this week.
Source: Supersport
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