Rassie Erasmus Vows to Make SA Proud as Springboks Face Wallabies in Perth

• Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus addressed the team's one-off Test against Australia after a demanding travel schedule from Baltimore
• Erasmus warned that the Wallabies would present a completely different challenge to Argentina and the All Blacks
• The Springboks' athletic performance and logistics teams have been under pressure to keep players fresh across a gruelling tour

Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has pledged to "make our country proud" as his side prepares to face the Wallabies in a one-off Test in Perth, capping off a demanding international tour.

The Springboks arrive in Australia having secured a 3-1 series victory over the All Blacks in the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry campaign. The travelling squad flew from Baltimore to Sydney via a connecting flight through Dallas, having departed the United States immediately after winning Test Three of that series.

Erasmus flags 'completely different challenge'

Despite the Boks entering the fixture as world number one, Erasmus was measured in his assessment of the opposition. He noted that the Wallabies had performed well in their own recent series victory over Argentina, and that his squad should expect a fully motivated home side.

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"Both Argentina and the All Blacks tested us thoroughly, and we have no doubt that we will be facing a determined Wallabies side that will want to put on a good show in front of their home crowd, and they will present a completely different challenge to that which we have faced in the last few Test matches," Erasmus said.

He added that only an 80-minute effort would be sufficient to secure the result, citing the Wallabies' recent form as a clear warning signal.

Travel load managed by performance staff

Erasmus confirmed that Head of Athletic Performance Andy Edwards and the team's logistics staff had been central to managing the physical toll of back-to-back Tests and intercontinental travel. Players were given a rest day in Baltimore before the long-haul journey began, and training in Australia was scheduled to start on Friday.

The Springboks retained the same touring squad from the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry finale for the Perth Test, with no changes to the travelling party confirmed at the time of the coach's statement.

Source: Briefly News