Rassie Erasmus Opens Up on What Springboks Need to Do Against All Blacks This Weekend
- Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus addressed the media after naming his squad for the first Test against the All Blacks
- The Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series opens at Ellis Park before moving to Cape Town, Johannesburg and Baltimore, USA'
- Erasmus drew on lessons from the British and Irish Lions series and World Cup pool matches to explain his approach
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Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus has acknowledged the weight of Saturday's series opener against New Zealand at Ellis Park, while urging patience over the four-Test Rugby's Greatest Rivalry campaign.
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Erasmus spoke to reporters on Thursday following the announcement of his matchday squad, addressing both the opportunity and the broader picture of the series ahead.
Ellis Park opener sets the tone
Erasmus acknowledged that there is significant pressure heading into the series, stressing that it is an important campaign and that making a strong start in the opening Test will be crucial.
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However, he also placed the first match in the broader context of the series, explaining that past experiences against top-level opposition have taught the Springboks the importance of maintaining perspective across multiple Tests.
He noted that lessons from the British & Irish Lions series and World Cup pool matches showed that early setbacks do not necessarily determine the outcome, with the series ultimately being decided by the third game.
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Four-Test Series stretches across two continents
The series begins in Johannesburg at Ellis Park before travelling to Cape Town Stadium and FNB Stadium for the second and third Tests respectively.
The final encounter will take place in Baltimore, United States, marking a rare intercontinental conclusion to one of rugby's most celebrated rivalries.
With three home Tests before the Baltimore finale, South Africa will be expected to use familiar conditions and crowd support to their advantage in the early rounds of the campaign.
England star now eligible for Springboks
Briefly News also reported that an English international is set to switch allegiance and represent the South African men's rugby team at the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
Erasmus has reportedly made contact with the player over the possibility of representing the defending champions.
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Source: Briefly News
