As the Rugby Championship opener looms, Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus casts a discerning eye on the readiness of his team versus the battle-weary Wallabies. The Australians, fresh off a grueling series against the British and Irish Lions, are set to clash with a relatively unscathed South African squad that sailed through mid-year matches against less formidable opponents.
While the Wallabies have been tempered by the intensity of the Lions, Erasmus highlighted the physical readiness of his squad, who have avoided significant injuries, aside from a minor setback with Jasper Wiese. "They got six or seven injuries from playing the same team over and over again, while we lost one player in Jasper who lost his temper; otherwise, everyone is fit. We lost no one here," Erasmus pointed out. This fresh state, he believes, could give the Springboks an upper hand in the upcoming games.
"On the battle hardness, there are two ways of looking at it,"
Despite the perceived advantage, Erasmus acknowledged the tough competition posed by Joe Schmidt's team, particularly after their tight games against the Lions. "You get the referees who are under pressure too and have to make big decisions in games, which they would have experienced against the Lions, which we didn’t, because our games weren’t really close," he remarked. This exposure to high-pressure situations could potentially hone the Wallabies' edge in crunch moments.
Moreover, Erasmus did not shy away from expressing concerns over tactical challenges, or the lack thereof, in the Springboks' recent matches. "I don’t think that tactically we were really challenged by Italy or Georgia, but those were really physical matches," he admitted. This week's game, played at altitude, adds another layer of complexity to the dynamic, leaving Erasmus to ponder whether the Wallabies are truly "punched out" or if they are genuinely "battle-ready."
The Springboks' coach also reflected on the psychological boost the Wallabies might carry into the match, following a strong finish in their last test against the Lions. "I can’t see them not being on a high after the way they finished that series," Erasmus noted, wary of the momentum his opponents have gathered.
With both teams bringing different experiences and strengths to the field, the stage is set for a showdown that will test the mettle and strategy of two of rugby's powerhouses. As the game approaches, the question of who is more "battle-ready" will soon be answered on the pitch at Ellis Park.
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As the Rugby Championship opener looms, Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus casts a discerning eye on the readiness of his team versus the battle-weary Wallabies. The Australians, fresh off a grueling series against the British and Irish Lions, are set to clash with a relatively unscathed South African squad that sailed through mid-year matches against less formidable opponents.
While the Wallabies have been tempered by the intensity of the Lions, Erasmus highlighted the physical readiness of his squad, who have avoided significant injuries, aside from a minor setback with Jasper Wiese. "They got six or seven injuries from playing the same team over and over again, while we lost one player in Jasper who lost his temper; otherwise, everyone is fit. We lost no one here," Erasmus pointed out. This fresh state, he believes, could give the Springboks an upper hand in the upcoming games.
"On the battle hardness, there are two ways of looking at it,"
Despite the perceived advantage, Erasmus acknowledged the tough competition posed by Joe Schmidt's team, particularly after their tight games against the Lions. "You get the referees who are under pressure too and have to make big decisions in games, which they would have experienced against the Lions, which we didn’t, because our games weren’t really close," he remarked. This exposure to high-pressure situations could potentially hone the Wallabies' edge in crunch moments.
Moreover, Erasmus did not shy away from expressing concerns over tactical challenges, or the lack thereof, in the Springboks' recent matches. "I don’t think that tactically we were really challenged by Italy or Georgia, but those were really physical matches," he admitted. This week's game, played at altitude, adds another layer of complexity to the dynamic, leaving Erasmus to ponder whether the Wallabies are truly "punched out" or if they are genuinely "battle-ready."
The Springboks' coach also reflected on the psychological boost the Wallabies might carry into the match, following a strong finish in their last test against the Lions. "I can’t see them not being on a high after the way they finished that series," Erasmus noted, wary of the momentum his opponents have gathered.
With both teams bringing different experiences and strengths to the field, the stage is set for a showdown that will test the mettle and strategy of two of rugby's powerhouses. As the game approaches, the question of who is more "battle-ready" will soon be answered on the pitch at Ellis Park.