Erasmus acknowledged the challenge of not getting ahead of themselves, despite the looming high-profile matches.
"It’s difficult to not look past Argentina, but we have to beat Argentina first. We want to win every Test match we play,"he explained. The larger goal remains the World Cup, yet immediate respect is due to the next opponent.
Highlighting the quality of the Argentine team, Erasmus noted,
"Argentina are a quality team, and you’ll quickly see who is ready to play against New Zealand two weeks later."He emphasized that the upcoming match is crucial for assessing player readiness for subsequent challenges.
The Springboks are not only preparing for Argentina but also managing player distribution for the anticipated games against the All Blacks. With matches scheduled against local franchises, Erasmus explained the necessity of balancing player usage to maintain squad depth. “The big thing is we don’t want to keep a guy with us and not use him during the All Black series,” Erasmus said, underscoring the importance of strategic player rotation.
As part of their preparation, twenty-six Boks are set to travel to South America this Saturday, while another group begins preparations in Johannesburg for the New Zealand fixtures. This split approach allows for focused preparation for different sets of challenges.
Turning his attention to the All Blacks, Erasmus commented on the New Zealand squad, though his immediate focus remains solidly on Argentina. “Everybody’s really excited about them and the way they’ve played in the first three [Nations Championship] games, and we know it’s going to be tough, but Argentina is our first goal,” he noted.
The strategic approach taken by Erasmus illustrates his dual focus on immediate challenges and long-term goals. By managing his squad efficiently and keeping his eyes on the upcoming World Cup, Erasmus is navigating a path that respects both current opponents and future contests.
