Rassie Erasmus Comments on Referee’s Scrum Call After All Blacks Win and Why Springboks Lost

• Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus acknowledged that prop Gerhard Steenekamp walked around during the pivotal scrum in the 58th minute
• The All Blacks survived intense pressure on their own try line before using the momentum swing to extend their lead decisively
• Erasmus admitted the Boks dominated territory and possession for 50 minutes but failed to convert pressure into points against New Zealand

Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has defended the referee's decision to award a scrum against his side during a critical moment in the first Rugby Championship Test against the All Blacks at Ellis Park, which New Zealand won 33-16.

The turning point arrived around the 58th minute, with South Africa trailing by three points and exerting serious pressure deep inside the All Blacks' half. After receiving a penalty, the Boks opted to take a scrum rather than the straightforward three points. New Zealand held firm and, crucially, won the set-piece contest.

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Erasmus Concedes Steenekamp's Fault

Erasmus was candid about what went wrong at the scrum.

"I think it was the right call, and I do think Gerhard walked around (during the scrum)," he said. The coach also revealed that advice from his coaching box had favoured taking the points given the slim deficit at that stage:

"The suggestion from up top was to take the three points because we were only down by that much at that stage. But without a doubt, they scrummed really well. From then, the momentum shifted."

Following that scrum, New Zealand drove upfield and scored to extend their advantage, effectively ending the contest as a competitive fixture.

Boks Punished for Wasted Possession

Erasmus expressed frustration at how little the Boks had to show for their dominance in the first half, pointing to a string of errors that allowed the All Blacks to escape their own 22 without conceding.

"It is disappointing and that is probably the thing New Zealand is great at. They know how to stop you in their 22m area in different ways; whether it is stripping the ball, contesting on the ground or harassing the scrumhalf within the laws and we could not handle that," he said.

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The coach was equally direct about the cost of failing to capitalise.

"I thought up until minute 50, we were really dominating territory and possession and we were in the game. But with a class team like the All Blacks, if you don't convert, they give you a proper hiding."

Erasmus also dismissed the notion that external factors were to blame, noting the ball conditions were not an issue and that this was an experienced Springbok squad. He attributed the second-half collapse largely to the physical and mental pressure New Zealand applied at the breakdown and in loose play.

Source: Briefly News