Erasmus didn't mince words about the quality of the match.
"I thought it was epic,"he remarked, acknowledging the fierce competition and the loss of key players on both sides.
Despite the close scoreline, Erasmus expressed his admiration for the All Blacks' skillful ball handling. However, he remained humble about his own team's performance.
"We envy the way they handle the ball, and I’m not sitting here today saying we’re awesome."
The initial momentum of the New Zealand team seemed to unsettle the Springboks, with Erasmus pointing out the opponent's adeptness at keeping the ball in play and exploiting their strengths.
The scrum, a contentious point in their previous meeting, was a more balanced affair this time. Erasmus was keen to shift focus away from the scrum narrative, noting the challenges his team faced.
"I don’t think we were dominant at scrum time today, I think it was pretty even, and it could easily have gone against us."
Erasmus highlighted the scrappy nature of the game, where both teams had opportunities to seize control, but also made mistakes that kept the other in contention.
The match saw both teams score four tries each, exemplifying the tight contest. Crucial moments, including penalties and yellow cards to flyhalves Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Ruben Love, influenced the game's dynamic, with Erasmus noting the shifts in momentum.
"When we went two scores ahead there was a nine-minute spell where you start to feel safe, but then New Zealand showed exactly why they’re the calibre of side they are and came right back at us."
With the series set to conclude in the United States, the excitement around Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry continues to build, promising another epic encounter between these formidable rivals.
