During an open media conference in the build-up to the upcoming Rugby Championship 2025, in which the Springboks host the Wallabies twice in South Africa, South Africa Head Coach Rassie Erasmus fielded a wide range of questions, but is happy with where the squad is at although admitting there is room for improvement.
“We want to have 3 players per position, but we understand the need to have a blend of youth coming into the squad” said the two-time winning Rugby World Cup coach when addled about the addition of three recent SA U20 World Rugby champions Bathobele Hlekani, Cheswill Jooste and Haashim Pead to the camp
He was honest in saying that the management don't see any of the three new young players playing Test rugby this year for SA, unless they had catastrophic injuries, but said it was important for him and the coaches to “understand how quickly the guys can step up and fit into the environment.” He added that the players understand their role and positions, and they take part in all the sessions in camp - from classroom to on-field runs.
Erasmus also quipped but half seriously, “It also lets the older guys know what is coming through in terms of talent, and all three have been keeping up and doing well.”
Wallabies are an Unknown For The Rugby Championship Opener
The current alignment camp features fewer players than before the Tests got underway several weeks ago, and he explained the alignment is so “everyone knows what's expected of them.”
Erasmus admitted that this training camp was not originally part of their schedule. “These two weeks of camp will give us time to align as coaches, as well as on the conditioning aspects for the players and to take stock from a medical perspective, so it’s important in assisting us to get to where we want to be against three good countries in the series.”
Not all of the Bok coaches have been involved in the first week of the camp, but all will be back by this weekend, which is when the Boks start turning their attention to Australia.
The Springboks will face the Wallabies in Johannesburg on Saturday, 16 August, and the following week in Cape Town at DHL Stadium on 23 August.
Erasmus was asked about their performances in the ongoing British & Irish Lions tour, which the tourists have won with one Test to go, but he admits they are really unsure what kind of squad Australia will send to South African shores or what their mental state will be if they lose 3-0.
“We have cut down the squad for this camp to make sure everyone stays fit, and we have sent guys back to their franchises to keep playing. It gives us more time for coaches to spend 1-1 with guys in camp.”
He said that everyone is comfortable in the setup, the coaches can focus on smaller groups to fine-tune aspects of the techniques and game plans, such as testing out contest systems like the breakdown and aerial systems.
One thing Erasmus is sure about is that the Wallabies will be battle-hardened after having played Fiji and three Tests against the B&I Lions.
“The physicality Georgia and Italy brought to us won't be any less than Australia can bring and what we will face. They will come here wanting to win, and it will depend on how they handle their preparations, and we won't know what team they bring over.
They might be battle-hardened, but they might be feeling down if they lose 3-0. I personally think they will be excited and motivated for the third test at home.
“We’ve got to be careful. We’re facing an Australian side that will have more rounded players, and who play with greater intensity. After the British & Irish Lions series, whether it’s 3-0 or 2-1, they’ll be battle-ready. A really competitive Australian team will come here and we can’t underestimate them.”
He also added that innovation is part of their planning, saying, “You’ve got to keep innovating. We’ve got one or two more plans and ideas up our sleeves. Opposition teams now know what we’re about and are developing systems to counter us.”
He said that the changeup of the camps also keeps their opposition guessing when they plan to play the Springboks.
One Eye on Rugby World Cup 2027
When asked how he feels the squad available to him is progressing with half an eye on Rugby World Cup 2027, and this being his third RWC cycle with the Boks in a management role capacity, he explained,
“With the previous cycle and COVID, guys missed out in key age groups and playing in the Currie Cup, but the guys coming through now didn't have those distractions. It's tougher to find players in the 22-26 age group, but the younger guys have no issues. We know we need to do well before RWC 2027 and have momentum leading into that.”
On performance tracking and how they select players that will be fit and ready for the tournament in Australia, which is still two years ago, Erasmus said that he has been impressed with how both the media and fanbase pay more attention to player readiness and performance-tracking.
“For us, it is about performance, which is why we have these camps, as we are not sure about everyone. Some guys are freaks and can play to an older age, but there are not a lot of those. We want to try and have all guys on ten caps before RWC 2027, but also be careful not to filter guys out who are senior, as no one knows in two years how they will be performing. If anyone is in the top 2-3 in their position, we will play them.”
