Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has dismissed suggestions that his team’s selections or tactics are influenced by mind games, insisting that everything they do is for the South African supporters.
“I think people think everything we do is related to mind games, but what I do is for the South African supporters,” said Erasmus. “We play for South Africa, and what they do in their camp does not influence how we prepare or what we do.”
With key injuries and suspensions affecting selection, Erasmus admitted that this week’s team was particularly tough to finalise. “Very much like last week with Zach. Boan (Venter) has played five Tests for us, and to put him there with Malcolm and Thomas – we’d rather let him swim in this tough river here. We rate Boan highly,” Erasmus explained.
“It’s unfortunate that we lost Jan-Hendrik (Wessels) to suspension and Ox (Nche) to an off-the-ball tackle, and he’s out for quite some time. Luckily, Gerhard is back. Leaving players like Ethan Hooker, Canan, Kwagga, Marco van Staden, and others out isn’t easy – Franco played excellent rugby last week, and Krappies (Morne van den Berg) was awesome when he got his chance. But the team understands. The squad is buying into what we’re trying to do. The focus now is to get a result in a very tough stadium against a strong French side.”
Asked about the emotional edge to the clash following the World Cup quarterfinal, Cobus Reinach, sitting alongside him, said the Boks were well aware of what to expect. “They’re going to be charged – they haven’t forgotten about the 2023 World Cup. It’s a game we all look back on and learn from,” he said.
“Their emotions and what they have in their camp can’t affect how we prepare. We know they’ll come at us physically, and we need to be ready. It’s not rocket science – it’ll be a huge battle.”
This week marks Erasmus’s 50th Test at the helm and Siya Kolisi’s 100th cap, but the Bok mentor was quick to downplay the celebrations.
“My 50th is not a big thing – we haven’t even mentioned it. Just being part of this team is awesome. Whether as a technical analyst, assistant coach, or director of rugby, it’s lekka to be in this environment with South Africans behind us,” he said.
“There are only nine guys who’ve played 100 Tests for South Africa, and Siya was on the cap 25 when we made him captain. The biggest thing I can give him credit for is that he has never always played brilliantly. He’s had dips in form, injuries, personal challenges – but he’s always come through. For both World Cups, he was a doubt, yet now he’s probably playing the best rugby of his life.”
Erasmus praised Kolisi’s humility and leadership, noting that such qualities distinguish great players from merely good ones. “If you make the milestone bigger than the match, you’ll come second best. His humility is a standout. For me, what separates a good Bok from a great Bok is understanding that you’re playing for your country, not yourself. Some players take a while to get that – some never do.”
Not wanting the milestones to cast a shadow on the game, he added, “The only difference on Saturday is that Siya will run out ten seconds earlier.”
Erasmus also addressed the absence of Kwagga Smith, who has been a standout performer for the Boks. “Kwagga has a hand issue – a contusion on his wrist – but that’s not why we didn’t pick him. We just felt, based on the team we expect France to pick, that a 6-2 bench split gives us the best balance,” he said.
“This game will be fast, and while Kwagga brings energy, we feel secure with André covering 12 and 6, and we know Siya or Pieter-Steph can move to 8 if needed. Kwagga understands why this is the team we’ve picked to try and beat the French with.”
Turning back to Kolisi, Erasmus spoke warmly of the Bok captain’s character. “He just has a way to remain humble. He connects with South Africans wherever he goes and always has time for everyone. He’s one of the great leaders in South Africa.”
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