Former All Blacks wing John Kirwan has dished out a hefty dose of praise for Rassie Erasmus, almost elevating him from mere mortal to deity status among the South African rugby pantheon. On The Rivals podcast, alongside Springbok legend Victor Matfield, Kirwan confessed his initial doubts about Erasmus' radical changes to the Springbok lineup just before their clash against New Zealand in Wellington—a decision that led to a staggering 43-10 rout of the All Blacks.
"The amazing thing about Rassie, under that pressure, he doesn’t fold, he just does what he wants," Kirwan remarked. "He changes the team and does a whole lot of different stuff, and wins." This unconventional approach not only turned heads but also, apparently, games into landslide victories.
"Rassie’s not a South African coach, he’s a South African god. He’s a god over there."
Kirwan didn't shy away from comparing Erasmus' bold tactics with those of All Blacks coach Scott Robertson. While Robertson has shown a preference for sticking with established stars despite their lackluster performances, Erasmus has not hesitated to inject fresh blood with an eye towards the 2027 World Cup. "I don’t think we have the depth that we had before," Kirwan lamented, highlighting a growing concern for New Zealand’s rugby future.
He emphasized the crippling effect of top players like Richie Mo’unga taking up contracts overseas, which has left a void in the All Blacks' roster not easily filled. "They have incredible depth, I don’t think New Zealand has that type of depth anymore," he added, pointing out South Africa’s robust bench strength.
As the Rugby Championship heads towards what promises to be a nail-biting finale, the strategies and selections of both Erasmus and Robertson are sure to be under intense scrutiny. Will the bold gamble of the South African 'god' continue to pay off, or will the tried and tested methods of the All Blacks see a resurgence? Only time will tell, but for now, Erasmus is basking in the glory of a divine victory.