Rassie Erasmus Admits to Nerves Ahead of Second All Blacks Test in Cape Town
- Rassie Erasmus openly admitted he is feeling nervous ahead of the second Test against the All Blacks in Cape Town on Saturday
- South Africa lost the opening game of the Greatest Rivalry series 33-16 to New Zealand at Ellis Park
- The Springboks face a must-win situation, with another defeat ending any chance of claiming the four-Test series
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Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus has publicly acknowledged his anxiety ahead of Saturday's second Test against the All Blacks, admitting that the pressure of the situation is very much weighing on him.
South Africa suffered a 33-16 loss to New Zealand at Ellis Park in the first match of the four-Test Greatest Rivalry series, leaving the Springboks in a position where they cannot afford another setback.
Erasmus Candid on What Is at Stake
Speaking ahead of the Cape Town clash, Erasmus did not attempt to mask his feelings about the significance of the match.
"I can't say I'm not nervous. I'm definitely nervous again," he said.
"We are one game down, and if we don't win this game, we can't win the series. We can only draw it. So nerves are there for sure."
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The stakes are straightforward: a second consecutive defeat would leave South Africa 2-0 down with two Tests remaining, meaning the best possible outcome for the Springboks would be a 2-2 series draw, regardless of results in the final two games.
Cape Town Clash a Turning Point
The second Test at Cape Town therefore functions as a decisive moment in the series. A Springbok victory would level the contest at 1-1 and restore the possibility of winning the series outright, while defeat would effectively end those ambitions.
Erasmus, known for his tactical acumen and outspoken nature, has historically used pressure situations to refocus his squad. His candid admission ahead of the Cape Town fixture signals the gravity with which the South African camp is approaching the match.
The Greatest Rivalry series, which pits two of world rugby's most decorated nations against each other across four Tests, has delivered an early blow to South African hopes following the Ellis Park result.
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Source: Briefly News
