Former Springbok captain John Smit is tossing his full support behind Rassie Erasmus' decision to shuffle his pack for the upcoming clash with the All Blacks in Wellington. With seven new starters stepping onto the pitch this Saturday, some of the big guns like Eben Etzebeth, Handre Pollard, Damian de Allende, and Jesse Kriel are riding pine, but Smit is all for it, suggesting that Erasmus is playing chess, not checkers.
On the DSPN Podcast, Smit laid it out:
"I do think it’s necessary. If I look back at our attempt to go back-to-back from 2007 to 2011, we had an ageing squad and we probably could’ve done more to get some fresh blood in. The reality is we’re still two years out from the World Cup and it’s probably the best time to blood new guys."
It's clear Smit sees the wisdom in Erasmus' long-term vision, as the buildup to the World Cup intensifies.
Erasmus, with his reputation for strategic genius, seems to have the carte blanche to innovate. Smit believes this freedom is well-earned: "Having gone back-to-back, he can be a bit more experimental, he can blood players, he can try new game plans and he can bring in new coaching staff. In my opinion, he’s not leaving much to chance and using his four-year gap wisely." The plan, it seems, is to gear up for a powerhouse team that can go the distance when the World Cup rolls around.
And while some might view the omissions of senior players as harsh, Smit clarifies that it's all part of the sport's brutal pace and physical demands. "You look at some of the senior players Rassie's left out for the second Test, and it must look to the world as if these guys are being punished, but they’ve done some hard yards already so far this year." It's not punishment, but preservation. Smit underscores the importance of this strategy, especially when facing "the greatest foe, which is the All Blacks."
As the Rugby Championship heats up, all eyes will be on how this gamble plays out. Will the fresh legs bring the Boks a step closer to their ultimate goal, or will this bold strategy backfire? Time, as always, will tell. However, if there's anyone who knows about winning, it's John Smit and Rassie Erasmus.
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Former Springbok captain John Smit is tossing his full support behind Rassie Erasmus' decision to shuffle his pack for the upcoming clash with the All Blacks in Wellington. With seven new starters stepping onto the pitch this Saturday, some of the big guns like Eben Etzebeth, Handre Pollard, Damian de Allende, and Jesse Kriel are riding pine, but Smit is all for it, suggesting that Erasmus is playing chess, not checkers.
On the DSPN Podcast, Smit laid it out:
"I do think it’s necessary. If I look back at our attempt to go back-to-back from 2007 to 2011, we had an ageing squad and we probably could’ve done more to get some fresh blood in. The reality is we’re still two years out from the World Cup and it’s probably the best time to blood new guys."
It's clear Smit sees the wisdom in Erasmus' long-term vision, as the buildup to the World Cup intensifies.Erasmus, with his reputation for strategic genius, seems to have the carte blanche to innovate. Smit believes this freedom is well-earned: "Having gone back-to-back, he can be a bit more experimental, he can blood players, he can try new game plans and he can bring in new coaching staff. In my opinion, he’s not leaving much to chance and using his four-year gap wisely." The plan, it seems, is to gear up for a powerhouse team that can go the distance when the World Cup rolls around.
And while some might view the omissions of senior players as harsh, Smit clarifies that it's all part of the sport's brutal pace and physical demands. "You look at some of the senior players Rassie's left out for the second Test, and it must look to the world as if these guys are being punished, but they’ve done some hard yards already so far this year." It's not punishment, but preservation. Smit underscores the importance of this strategy, especially when facing "the greatest foe, which is the All Blacks."
As the Rugby Championship heats up, all eyes will be on how this gamble plays out. Will the fresh legs bring the Boks a step closer to their ultimate goal, or will this bold strategy backfire? Time, as always, will tell. However, if there's anyone who knows about winning, it's John Smit and Rassie Erasmus.