Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus reflects on a pivotal win against Ireland
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus acknowledged on Saturday that while the performance during their 24-13 victory against Ireland at the Aviva Stadium was not flawless, it was a significant milestone as they ended a 13-year winless streak in Dublin.
The win marks the Springboks' fourth consecutive victory on the Castle Lager Outgoing Tour. However, Erasmus, along with captain Siya Kolisi and World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year, Malcolm Marx, showed humility, crediting Ireland for their resilience in the second half.
Leading 19-7 at halftime, the Springboks secured an 11-point win despite the match being affected by a red and yellow card.
“It was a great win against a team like Ireland, who have had the upper hand over us during our meetings,” Erasmus stated.
“If you review our last five encounters, Ireland leads three to two, so we won’t let this result inflate our egos, but the beer tastes a little better today.”
Erasmus expressed gratitude for the victory, highlighting it as a relief after a taxing season. Many players will soon return to Japan, while others are set to compete in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship next week. “It feels great to achieve a victory here, especially against a team that has consistently challenged us for the first time in 13 years,” he remarked.
Regarding the chaotic nature of the match, with cards issued throughout, Erasmus and Kolisi noted that the Springboks have become accustomed to such circumstances, having endured red cards in previous victories against France and Italy.
“We’ve had our share of challenges with red cards and injuries in games where we needed to adapt on the fly,” Erasmus explained. “Generally, we were dominant for most of the match, yet we struggled to capitalize on our opportunities inside the 22m area, making it a hectic battle.”
Kolisi praised the coaches and referees for their clear communication during the game: “At halftime, we were able to adjust our strategy effectively because we knew what was needed, which is why we seized the opportunities that presented themselves.”
Marx, who received his World Rugby award from former Springbok lock Victor Matfield after the match, added, “The game was tough, and with so many scrums, it was challenging physically. However, we needed to pressurize the Irish to get our rewards.”
Erasmus remained gracious in victory when discussing the physicality displayed by both teams. “Ireland matched our physicality with effective tackles and turnovers,” Erasmus commented. “It wasn’t a perfect performance, but it was necessary to overcome our past challenges.”
The Springboks are set to depart for Wales on Sunday for their final match of the November tour in Cardiff.
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