Rassie Erasmus, the mastermind behind the Springboks, has put it bluntly: while Siya Kolisi’s looming 100th Test cap is a headline-grabber, don’t expect the team to get sentimental when it comes to the nitty-gritty of selection. Kolisi, currently sitting pretty with 97 caps after the team's recent triumph in Durban, is on the brink of joining the prestigious Bok centurion club alongside stalwarts like Eben Etzebeth and Willie le Roux. Meanwhile, bruisers Damian de Allende and Pieter-Steph du Toit aren’t far behind, each with 92 caps to their names.
The Boks are gearing up for a rollicking end-of-year tour with fixtures against some of the toughest international sides including Japan, France, Italy, Ireland, and Wales. If chosen, Kolisi would notch his 98th cap against Argentina at Twickenham. But Erasmus has his eyes on the prize, emphasizing that results will always trump personal milestones.
"There are so many emotional decisions one has to make,"
Erasmus noted.
"If you start thinking too much about it, that’s when you start risking losing Tests sometimes."
Erasmus didn’t shy away from acknowledging the personal achievements within the squad, mentioning speedster Makazole Mapimpi, who is gunning for his 50th cap. However, the focus remains clear: victory first, celebrations later, no matter the occasion or venue.
The Bok boss also highlighted the slew of talent knocking on the selection door, ready to make their mark or return to the fold. Up-and-comers and seasoned players alike, such as Jaden and Jordan Hendrikse, Elrich Louw, Ben-Jason Dixon, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Gerhard Steenekamp, and Salmaan Moerat, are all in the mix. Not to mention the likes of Kurt-Lee Arendse, Edwill Van der Merwe, and Aphelele Fassi, proving that the Springboks’ depth chart is as deep as a dive in the Mariana Trench.
With a mix of new blood and veteran savvy, the Boks are poised to tackle their upcoming matches head-on. While milestones like Kolisi’s 100th cap are significant, Erasmus’s squad knows that every game is a stepping stone to greater glory, not just a chance to rack up personal stats. As the tour progresses, it’s clear that in the Springbok camp, it’s all about the win - milestones are just the cherry on top.
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Rassie Erasmus, the mastermind behind the Springboks, has put it bluntly: while Siya Kolisi’s looming 100th Test cap is a headline-grabber, don’t expect the team to get sentimental when it comes to the nitty-gritty of selection. Kolisi, currently sitting pretty with 97 caps after the team's recent triumph in Durban, is on the brink of joining the prestigious Bok centurion club alongside stalwarts like Eben Etzebeth and Willie le Roux. Meanwhile, bruisers Damian de Allende and Pieter-Steph du Toit aren’t far behind, each with 92 caps to their names.
The Boks are gearing up for a rollicking end-of-year tour with fixtures against some of the toughest international sides including Japan, France, Italy, Ireland, and Wales. If chosen, Kolisi would notch his 98th cap against Argentina at Twickenham. But Erasmus has his eyes on the prize, emphasizing that results will always trump personal milestones.
"There are so many emotional decisions one has to make,"
Erasmus noted."If you start thinking too much about it, that’s when you start risking losing Tests sometimes."
Erasmus didn’t shy away from acknowledging the personal achievements within the squad, mentioning speedster Makazole Mapimpi, who is gunning for his 50th cap. However, the focus remains clear: victory first, celebrations later, no matter the occasion or venue.
The Bok boss also highlighted the slew of talent knocking on the selection door, ready to make their mark or return to the fold. Up-and-comers and seasoned players alike, such as Jaden and Jordan Hendrikse, Elrich Louw, Ben-Jason Dixon, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Gerhard Steenekamp, and Salmaan Moerat, are all in the mix. Not to mention the likes of Kurt-Lee Arendse, Edwill Van der Merwe, and Aphelele Fassi, proving that the Springboks’ depth chart is as deep as a dive in the Mariana Trench.
With a mix of new blood and veteran savvy, the Boks are poised to tackle their upcoming matches head-on. While milestones like Kolisi’s 100th cap are significant, Erasmus’s squad knows that every game is a stepping stone to greater glory, not just a chance to rack up personal stats. As the tour progresses, it’s clear that in the Springbok camp, it’s all about the win - milestones are just the cherry on top.