Rassie Erasmus Warns Springboks May Start Slowly Against Wallabies in Perth
- Rassie Erasmus has warned that the Springboks could take time to find their rhythm when they face the Wallabies in Perth
- The Springboks coach has explained why his heavily reshuffled team may need patience before settling into the Test
- Several familiar faces will return in new combinations as Erasmus prepares his side for a demanding clash against Australia
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Rassie Erasmus has sounded an early warning ahead of the Springboks’ clash with the Wallabies in Perth. The Bok coach does not expect his side to explode into action from the opening whistle, and there is a clear reason: 13 changes have transformed the team since the victory over New Zealand. Yet Erasmus believes one factor could quickly change the picture.
Speaking to the media in Terrigal on Tuesday, 22 September 2026, Erasmus acknowledged that the extensive reshuffle could affect the team's early rhythm when the sides meet at Optus Stadium on Sunday.
The Springboks coach, however, believes his players are eager to return to Test rugby after spending time on the sidelines.
“I don’t think they’re going to fire from the start. But I can tell you that they’re really hungry,” Erasmus said, according to SA Rugby Magazine.
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“They really want to play and they’ve been idling for a hell of a long time.”
The comments came after André Esterhuizen was named captain of a significantly changed Springbok team following their 43-28 victory over New Zealand on 12 September.
Springboks face unfamiliar combinations
The reshuffle has created several combinations with limited time together. Herschel Jantjies is set to make his first Test start since 2023, while Esterhuizen partners Canan Moodie in midfield. Eben Etzebeth and Franco Mostert form the second-row pairing, with Aphelele Fassi, Edwill van der Merwe and Ethan Hooker completing the back three.
Erasmus said most of his starters have averaged roughly 140 minutes of rugby over the previous six weeks, although Jantjies has had considerably less game time.
“A guy like Herschel has played probably 40 minutes, so it’s not every player who’s got 140 minutes,” he explained.
Rassie Erasmus confident in new-look team
Erasmus compared the potential lack of rhythm to South Africa's performance against Argentina in Buenos Aires last month.
“Hopefully it doesn’t get too sticky in the beginning,” he said. “But it’s not like Australia has played 300 minutes in the last three weeks or so. I think we’ll be OK.”
He described the team as mobile and said it would need to match Australia's ability to defend across the field and maintain possession through structured play.
“It’s a well-balanced team; a bit younger than the team that played last time, with some proper back-up on the bench.”
The Springboks arrived in Australia following their 3-1 series victory over New Zealand, while the Wallabies enter Sunday's Test after building momentum under coach Les Kiss.
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Springboks’ ageing stars raise fresh 2027 World Cup questions
Briefly News previously reported that the Springboks’ ageing core has sparked fresh questions as Rassie Erasmus looks towards the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Several members of the group that delivered back-to-back World Cup titles are now well into their 30s, putting greater focus on how the coach manages his experienced players.
Former Springbok Steven Kitshoff has highlighted the difficult conversations that could lie ahead, while World Cup-winning coach Steve Hansen revealed how he handled a similar situation with senior All Blacks.
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Source: Briefly News
