Rassie Erasmus Says Springboks' 33-16 Loss to All Blacks Is Not Catastrophic
- The Springboks suffered a 33-16 defeat to the All Blacks at Ellis Park on 22 August 2026, giving New Zealand a 1-0 series lead
- Coach Rassie Erasmus drew on past comebacks to defend the team's position, citing the 2021 Lions series and the 2019 Rugby World Cup
- The Boks now face the prospect of winning three consecutive Tests to claim the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series
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Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has dismissed suggestions that Saturday's 33-16 loss to the All Blacks at Ellis Park has derailed South Africa's chances in the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series.
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New Zealand now hold a 1-0 lead in the four-Test series following the result on 22 August 2026. The second Test moves to Cape Town, with the third scheduled at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg before the series concludes in Baltimore, USA.
Erasmus points to past comebacks
When asked whether the Ellis Park defeat had put the Springboks in a “catastrophic” position, Erasmus drew on two previous setbacks that ultimately succeeded.
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He recalled South Africa’s opening defeat to the British & Irish Lions in 2021 and their loss to New Zealand in the opening match of the 2019 Rugby World Cup, noting that both results were widely viewed as disastrous at the time.
Erasmus said the Boks had faced similar situations before and had shown they could respond when their backs were against the wall. Both of those campaigns ended in South African victories. The Boks lifted the Rugby World Cup in Japan in 2019 and came back to defeat the Lions 2-1 in a hard-fought series two years later.
Three wins needed to claim the series
Erasmus was candid about the mathematics now facing his squad. With New Zealand holding the early advantage, South Africa must win each of the remaining three Tests to take the series.
"Obviously, we're now in a position where, if we want to win the series, we have to win three games on the trot," he said.
"Without a doubt, it puts them in a very good position, which they thoroughly deserve."
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Despite that challenge, the coach remained measured in his assessment of the Boks' prospects heading into the Cape Town encounter. The second Test of the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series takes place in Cape Town, where a Springbok win would level the contest at 1-1.
Erasmus also dismissed suggestions that South Africa deliberately slows matches down. Assistant coach Felix Jones later raised concerns about alleged All Blacks tactics around the breakdown and defending mauls.
Erasmus was also accused of “running a little scared” as the Springboks prepare to face the All Blacks at Ellis Park on Saturday, with the series at risk of turning “toxic” amid a growing focus on refereeing and match tactics.
Rassie breaks silence on Springboks loss
Briefly News previously reported that Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus spoke candidly after his side suffered a heavy defeat to the All Blacks in the first Test of the Greatest Rivalry series
South Africa led 13-12 at half-time but were outscored five tries to one in the second half as New Zealand dominated the Ellis Park clash
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Source: Briefly News
