Rassie Erasmus is charting a course for clarity and caution as he steers the Springboks into a pivotal showdown in the 2025 Rugby Championship. With a tight point spread among the top teams, every decision could tip the scales, and Erasmus is determined not to repeat past mistakes—particularly the kind that saw his team chasing unrealistic margins back in 2022.
Recalling a critical match where the Wallabies squandered a winning position against the All Blacks by not managing the clock effectively, Erasmus pointed out the ripple effects of such moments. “Remember when for Australia to beat New Zealand, they just had to kick the ball out and then they took too long to kick the ball out. If they won that match, we just had to beat Argentina and win the Rugby Championship,” he explained to the press. The outcome forced the Springboks into an uncomfortable position, having to beat Argentina by a whopping 42 points, a mark they ultimately missed, leading to a reflective analysis by Erasmus.
With a similarly tight scenario unfolding this weekend, Erasmus is adamant about sticking to fundamentals.
"It’s for us to win first. We will know what happens in the Australia-New Zealand game but with four points we will still be in the mix, whatever happens in the other game,"
he stated. His strategy is clear: prioritize a solid, straightforward win over a risky, high-score chase.
Erasmus' candidness is a breath of fresh air in a field often clouded by generic responses. He openly admitted to keeping an eye on scores from other games to gauge the Springboks' standing, a tactic that blends practical strategy with motivational management. “Obviously we will have a look at that. Even before the game in Wellington, just before we had our team talk, I was on the phone checking because it does give you extra motivation if you know you’re still in the mix,” he shared.
His approach might just be what the Springboks need to navigate through the tightly contested championship, emphasizing that understanding the bigger picture can significantly influence immediate decisions on the field.
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Rassie Erasmus is charting a course for clarity and caution as he steers the Springboks into a pivotal showdown in the 2025 Rugby Championship. With a tight point spread among the top teams, every decision could tip the scales, and Erasmus is determined not to repeat past mistakes—particularly the kind that saw his team chasing unrealistic margins back in 2022.
Recalling a critical match where the Wallabies squandered a winning position against the All Blacks by not managing the clock effectively, Erasmus pointed out the ripple effects of such moments. “Remember when for Australia to beat New Zealand, they just had to kick the ball out and then they took too long to kick the ball out. If they won that match, we just had to beat Argentina and win the Rugby Championship,” he explained to the press. The outcome forced the Springboks into an uncomfortable position, having to beat Argentina by a whopping 42 points, a mark they ultimately missed, leading to a reflective analysis by Erasmus.
With a similarly tight scenario unfolding this weekend, Erasmus is adamant about sticking to fundamentals.
"It’s for us to win first. We will know what happens in the Australia-New Zealand game but with four points we will still be in the mix, whatever happens in the other game,"
he stated. His strategy is clear: prioritize a solid, straightforward win over a risky, high-score chase.Erasmus' candidness is a breath of fresh air in a field often clouded by generic responses. He openly admitted to keeping an eye on scores from other games to gauge the Springboks' standing, a tactic that blends practical strategy with motivational management. “Obviously we will have a look at that. Even before the game in Wellington, just before we had our team talk, I was on the phone checking because it does give you extra motivation if you know you’re still in the mix,” he shared.
His approach might just be what the Springboks need to navigate through the tightly contested championship, emphasizing that understanding the bigger picture can significantly influence immediate decisions on the field.