Coach Rassie Erasmus is gearing up for a classic brawl of a match as the Springboks revert to their roots against the Wallabies this Saturday in Cape Town. With the weather forecast suggesting rain and a confession of strategic missteps at Ellis Park, Erasmus is shaping the team for a tough slog with a 6-2 bench split favoring forwards.
After a game that could be kindly described as overly ambitious, Erasmus admitted, "At altitude, we thought running all over would tire their legs but we got that totally wrong and maybe outsmarted ourselves. They really played clever." It looks like it’s back to the grindstone, with conditions and common sense dictating a more grounded game plan.
"We feel we need that in this game. The 6-2 points more to a grind than a running game, and I think the weather will also not allow us just to run around."
With heavy hitters Siya Kolisi and Pieter-Steph du Toit out of the lineup, the Boks are turning to the reliable Franco Mostert and Jean-Luc du Preez to beef up the loose trio. Mostert, a veteran in the No 7 jersey, is expected to inject some much-needed energy and versatility into the pack. Erasmus praised Mostert's readiness, saying, "Having Sous there, he’s done it many times for us and is probably among the fittest guys in the team and is very close to what we have in Pieter-Steph. He knows what we want to do, and we feel a guy like Sous will help us in the lineouts and in general play where the game gets a little bit loose, he can help us tidy it up."
The Boks’ coach hasn’t just been tinkering with player positions but also ensuring the whole team has absorbed the hard lessons from last week's defeat. Erasmus is clear that the upcoming match is crucial for getting their Rugby Championship campaign back on track, and with the Wallabies known for their tenacity, the Boks cannot afford to let their guard down. "We are pleased with this squad, and we are all aligned on what we have to do to lift our standards this week," Erasmus emphasized, underlining the importance of a robust finish: "Australia also showed that they can fight until the end, so it will be vital for us to give everything until the final whistle this weekend."
This weekend's clash is set to be a pivotal one, with both teams hungry for victory but the Springboks particularly eager to prove that they can bounce back with a vengeance. The stage is set for a gritty showdown in Cape Town.