Japan's head coach, Eddie Jones, is all praises for the Springboks, citing their player versatility as a revolutionary strategy in world rugby. As the 2027 World Cup approaches, this could be their secret weapon. During a chat on the Rugby Unity podcast, Jones highlighted the unmatched squad depth and tactical flexibility that Rassie Erasmus has cultivated, allowing the team to thrive under any circumstances.
“Having players who can cover multiple positions is such a gift for a coach,” Jones remarked. “It gives a team real flexibility. South Africa’s depth is probably better than anyone’s, and that’s what allows them to finish games so strongly. That’s a real credit to them.”
“They scored 32 against France with 14 men,”
Jones used the Boks’ recent game in Paris to illustrate his point. Even after Lood de Jager was sent off, Erasmus managed to reorganize his squad by bringing Ruan Nortje in for Siya Kolisi, moving André Esterhuizen around, and placing Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu at fullback following Manie Libbok’s entry as flyhalf. The result? A commanding scoreline in a famously tough venue. “Playing at the Stade de France is a pretty intimidating atmosphere, but not for the South Africans,” Jones added confidently.
Contrasting this with Japan's recent performance against the world champions, where the Boks played like it was their home ground in London, scoring a whopping 60 points, Jones pointed out, “It puts into perspective our game, where they scored 60 with 15 and were playing at ‘home’, because they consider London a home venue.”
This blend of strategic genius and adaptable talent not only showcases the Springboks' formidable presence on the field but also sets a high bar for other national teams aiming for glory in the upcoming global showdown. As the rugby world watches and learns, it's clear that South Africa is not just playing the game; they are redefining it.
2,193 posts
Japan's head coach, Eddie Jones, is all praises for the Springboks, citing their player versatility as a revolutionary strategy in world rugby. As the 2027 World Cup approaches, this could be their secret weapon. During a chat on the Rugby Unity podcast, Jones highlighted the unmatched squad depth and tactical flexibility that Rassie Erasmus has cultivated, allowing the team to thrive under any circumstances.
“Having players who can cover multiple positions is such a gift for a coach,” Jones remarked. “It gives a team real flexibility. South Africa’s depth is probably better than anyone’s, and that’s what allows them to finish games so strongly. That’s a real credit to them.”
“They scored 32 against France with 14 men,”
Jones used the Boks’ recent game in Paris to illustrate his point. Even after Lood de Jager was sent off, Erasmus managed to reorganize his squad by bringing Ruan Nortje in for Siya Kolisi, moving André Esterhuizen around, and placing Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu at fullback following Manie Libbok’s entry as flyhalf. The result? A commanding scoreline in a famously tough venue. “Playing at the Stade de France is a pretty intimidating atmosphere, but not for the South Africans,” Jones added confidently.
Contrasting this with Japan's recent performance against the world champions, where the Boks played like it was their home ground in London, scoring a whopping 60 points, Jones pointed out, “It puts into perspective our game, where they scored 60 with 15 and were playing at ‘home’, because they consider London a home venue.”
This blend of strategic genius and adaptable talent not only showcases the Springboks' formidable presence on the field but also sets a high bar for other national teams aiming for glory in the upcoming global showdown. As the rugby world watches and learns, it's clear that South Africa is not just playing the game; they are redefining it.