Rassie Erasmus praised his team for their physicality and intensity during their impressive 61-7 victory over Japan at Wembley Stadium in London on Saturday. Despite the unexpected outcome, the Springbok coach acknowledged that upcoming weeks would present significantly different challenges.
The Springboks scored eight tries and were awarded a penalty try, limiting Japan to a mere converted try. While the team celebrated a strong start to their tour, Erasmus and Bok captain Siya Kolisi maintained focus as they prepared to head to Paris for a match against France at the Stade de France next Saturday.
“We have to give credit to the whole team,” Erasmus remarked.
“Some of the players, such as Gerhard Steenekamp, Franco Mostert, Johan Grobbelaar, Andre Esterhuizen, and Zachary Porthen, made significant contributions with their playing time. Notably, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu scored two tries and demonstrated his improvement since his SA 'A' debut three years ago.”
“Tonight's match was challenging due to the wet conditions against a Japanese team that has historically given us difficulties. Sacha showcased excellent physicality for a No 10, as well as solid kicking and tackling skills.”
Erasmus expressed confidence in their flyhalves, referencing Feinberg-Mngomezulu's growing comfort in his role, but emphasized the need for improvement as they face tougher opponents. “Next week we'll go against France, and later on we have Ireland, so we need to constantly elevate our performance,” he said.
Reflecting on South Africa's previous struggle against Japan in the 2015 Rugby World Cup, Erasmus highlighted the importance of respect and physicality in their performance. “We’ll never forget Brighton, and we've only beaten Japan three times. It was surprising to see this scoreline, but it's more about how the players approached the game.”
Erasmus acknowledged the intensity of playing France away from home, saying, “The atmosphere and pressure are incredibly different. Although we have ample depth and youth, playing there is a different ball game.”
Kolisi, pleased with the team’s versatility and support from fans, added, “Having versatile players allows coaches flexibility, which is crucial in adapting to injuries during matches. Scoring my 14th Test try set a positive tone for us.”
He further appreciated the support from the fans at Wembley: “It was heartwarming to see so many people braving the rain to enjoy the match. We have four more matches on tour, and we hope they continue to support us.”
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