SA Rugby director of rugby Rassie Erasmus said the Springboks can expect a tough challenge from Ireland in Saturday’s Autumn Nations Series Test against Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
The outspoken boss added that the fact that these teams are set to face each other at next year’s Rugby World Cup would add spice to this weekend’s encounter.
Previous result is irrelevant
The last time these sides met was in Dublin in 2017, with Ireland sealing a comfortable 38-3 victory, and while it may be significant for some, Erasmus believes it is a new era for both teams.
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“We got a proper hiding here the last time and then we won the Rugby World Cup two years later, and it is now five years later,” he said.
“Ireland are doing a lot right on and off the field, so we know we are in for stiff competition, especially with their passionate crowd on their side.
“The fact that the teams are facing one another in next year’s Rugby World Cup will certainly spice things up, but we know what we are in for. We last won here in 2012, but we both have new teams and new game plans.”
Erasmus and current Bok head coach Jacques Nienaber coached Irish province Munster before guiding South Africa to a triumphant Rugby World Cup campaign in Japan three years ago. He admitted that while there is a perception that he may have inside knowledge into Ireland’s way of preparing for battle, this theory also worked in reverse.
“People may believe that I know the Irish system well having coached here, but they know me very well here too, so one can look at that from a different perspective as well,” said Erasmus.
“Jason (Jenkins) joined us on this tour, and he will be going back to Leinster, but he will go back knowing our structures well too.”
Regarding the challenge he expected from the hosts, who are currently sitting pretty at the top of the World Rugby rankings, Erasmus said: “World rankings are temporary, so one has to look beyond that and rather at the teams themselves. Ireland are very particular and they are detail orientated. They also have a good attacking structure.
“They are not a team one can just run over. So, we have to make smart plans against them and our defence has to be on point. Luckily, we have players who can score tries too, so if the weather plays along hopefully, we can score a few as well.”
Erasmus downplayed Wednesday’s anniversary of the Boks’ Rugby World Cup final triumph in Japan in 2019, stressing they must only look forward as a side.
“That was three years ago, and we are now looking ahead at the next World Cup,” he said. “I’m proud to be part of that history, but we have a new challenge ahead next year. Any of the top teams in the world can win the tournament next year. We saw last week how Scotland pushed Australia until the end, so it is going to be a tough competition.”
Delighted to be back
On a personal note, Erasmus is delighted about his impending return with the Springboks’ matchday activities for the first time in a year on Saturday, after serving a suspension for criticising the match officials during the Boks’ series against the British and Irish Lions last year.
“It’s going to be great to be back in the coaches’ box,” he added. “I love rugby, matchdays, and being in the change room with the boys. It wasn’t a nice feeling preparing with the team all week only to watch the bus leave and return to my room, so I’m excited about Saturday.”