The Springboks aim to redeem themselves in the upcoming Rugby Championship Test on Saturday.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus reported that the team is gradually identifying the issues that contributed to their loss against the Wallabies last weekend, preparing for the critical second Test at the Cape Town Stadium.
The Springboks suffered a surprising 38-22 defeat at Ellis Park, a match that marked the first time they conceded 38 unanswered points under Erasmus’s leadership, which began in 2018.
During Tuesday’s team announcement, Erasmus stated they have pinpointed their shortcomings and are diligently working to find solutions ahead of this weekend’s crucial match to regain their footing in the Rugby Championship.
“We know what we did wrong last weekend, but it’s straightforward to recognize issues. The challenging part is finding a fix. If we had all the answers, it would be ideal. It’s been a while since we last lost, and the game slipped away from us in just seven minutes,” Erasmus explained.
“Experiencing that feeling isn’t pleasant. However, during our first session on Monday, clarity began to emerge. We also identified issues during our attack practice today (Tuesday).
“As we progress through our sessions, solutions are becoming clearer. We allowed things to come too easily in the opening quarter at Ellis Park, and once it deteriorated, we struggled to cope.”
The Boks, who originally implemented a highly aggressive game strategy in the first Test, appear to be shifting towards a more cautious style for the second Test, having named a match 23 rich in experience, alongside a strong “bomb squad” for the second half.
Players unavailable
Unfortunately, this decision means several players initially considered for the match will not take part.
“There were four individuals who had been included in the internal team announcement last week but lost their spots due to the loss of momentum from that defeat, placing us in a must-win situation,” Erasmus said.
“Krappie (Morne van den Berg), Ethan (Hooker), Vincent (Koch), and one other player will not participate this week, which is unfortunate, but they all recognize the circumstances. If the team loses and it’s perceived that momentum has been lost, adjustments must be made.”
However, Erasmus expressed complete confidence in the selected match 23 to perform effectively on Saturday, enabling them to return to winning form and reestablish themselves in the Rugby Championship ahead of an important two-match tour in New Zealand.
“Hopefully, Saturday evening brings smiles. I’m like everyone else; I check social media when we win but steer clear when we lose. Losing is unsettling,” Erasmus shared.
“The smile I have now is somewhat sheepish. It’s tough, and we are eager to get it right. We wish we could have played already on Wednesday.”
