In a surprising twist, Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus has made it clear that he’s not entirely satisfied with South Africa’s recent 18-12 victory over the All Blacks in Cape Town. Despite what many would consider an impressive achievement—claiming the Freedom Cup for the first time in 15 years and extending their winning streak against New Zealand to four matches—Erasmus remains grounded. His post-match comments revealed that the team has no reason to brag just yet.
Erasmus' reaction after the match was nothing short of humble, emphasizing that while four consecutive wins against the All Blacks is "nice," he won’t allow the team to get carried away. As he pointed out, New Zealand has previously beaten South Africa six times in a row, and some of those victories included “50-odd point” demolitions. "It feels good that we can pip a team like this," Erasmus stated, but he quickly tempered expectations by acknowledging that on another day, the result could have easily gone the All Blacks' way.
One of the key reasons Erasmus felt dissatisfaction with the performance was the Springboks' sluggish start. Driven by emotions surrounding the Freedom Cup, the team initially struggled, trailing 3-9 at halftime. Erasmus hinted that the pressure to finally reclaim the Cup after a 15-year wait may have made the players overly emotional, leading to uncharacteristic mistakes early in the game.
"The players were too emotional at the start, but we calmed down after halftime," he explained.
Another standout point in Erasmus' post-match interview was his profound respect for the All Blacks. He praised their ability to test the Springboks throughout the game, and even though South Africa emerged victorious, he made it clear that they wouldn’t be resting on their laurels. "It’s not something to brag about. They’ve beaten us many times in a row, and achieved so much," Erasmus remarked.
His words demonstrate a rare humility in a sport known for its fierce rivalries.
Erasmus also emphasized that the Springboks were far more focused on winning the Freedom Cup than extending their winning streak against New Zealand. The team’s pride came from capturing the symbolic trophy, which holds deep significance for South Africa, rather than the four consecutive victories.
"The Freedom Cup was the thing we wanted, not so much the record," Erasmus reiterated, showing that this victory had greater meaning beyond just another win.
While some might view this as a dominant period for South Africa in rugby, Erasmus provided a stark reminder that many of the recent wins, including the game against Ireland and the World Cup final, were narrow escapes. "A lot of games could have gone against us," he said, keeping a realistic perspective on the team’s current position.
In his eyes, the Springboks’ ability to win close contests is important, but he doesn’t want the squad to become complacent.
What do you think about Rassie Erasmus' comments? Do you agree with his grounded approach, or should the Springboks be celebrating their dominant run against the All Blacks? Let us know in the comments below!
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