If you think you've got what it takes to don the green and gold at the next Rugby World Cup, you might want to double-check with Rassie Erasmus' stringent criteria. According to Steven Kitshoff, the freshly retired prop who's seen his fair share of battles, it's not enough to just have skills on the field; Erasmus is on the hunt for players who can endure his 'warrior test'—a trial by fire to find those who can handle extreme pressure.
As the Springboks gear up for another intense international season, they’re not just focusing on strategy and skill. Kitshoff, who hung up his boots recently, shared with News24 that the upcoming training sessions are less about routine and more about revealing true grit. "The team is going to be put under fire," Kitshoff disclosed. He emphasized the need for players who aren’t just physically robust but also possess a mental edge, especially when the stakes are sky-high.
"I think Rassie is going to make it as difficult as possible to see who are the guys willing to step up and show a bit of warrior spirit,"
Kitshoff explained that these tests of character often come at moments least expected. He reminisced about his own experiences, pointing out that the real challenge isn't in the easier games but in those nail-biting moments where every move counts.
"It’s easy to step up when you play against Italy at Loftus in front of 50,000 South Africans. But then, when it’s 19-19 at Ellis Park and the All Blacks are on your tryline, are you willing to put your shoulder in a dark place to stop a guy from scoring a try because it means more to you than having a good shoulder?"
This type of resilience and bravery is what Erasmus values above all, signaling a shift in what it means to be a Springbok. Kitshoff's insights suggest that the path to the World Cup squad is as much about mental fortitude as it is about physical prowess. As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see which players rise to the occasion and truly embody the warrior spirit Erasmus is looking for.