Irate Erasmus rubbishes Rennie’s ‘walking around’ claims at scrums
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — South Africa's head coach Rassie Erasmus expressed anticipation of watching New Zealand's Dave Rennie struggle after their four-test series was tied in Saturday's match. Erasmus was relieved to see the series turn in South Africa's favor, as they had not lost consecutive tests at home since 2018 under his leadership.
The Springboks' victory came courtesy of a flawless kicking performance by Cheslin Kolbe, who kicked seven successful kicks out of seven attempts. Despite being the favorites, South Africa dropped the first test in Johannesburg, and Erasmus admitted he felt the pressure, both emotionally and through his players. Rennie, in his first match as the All Blacks' coach, suffered his first loss, which he described as a natural reaction from everyone involved.
The All Blacks' head coach emphasized that no team should be considered a losing team if they experience a single loss, but multiple consecutive losses can place significant pressure on the players. Erasmus acknowledged that the All Blacks were vastly superior to the previous year, boasting superior coaching and a roster of athletes capable of outmaneuvering opponents quickly.
He suggested that a few more phases might have resulted in a draw. The late substitution of the front rows was due to weather conditions, as South Africa had anticipated rain but ended up with dry weather, opting for a lighter front row from the reserves. Fullback Damian Willemse injured his hamstring and was not considered for the third test in Soweto the following Saturday.
Rennie reported himself as fit, aside from a neck issue affecting winger Will Jordan, who completed the match. Erasmus deemed the team's lineout performance as problematic and criticized the scrummaging as subpar. He believed that the Springboks were still grappling with inconsistencies in the scrum. Erasmus dismissed the notion of scrummaging complications and claimed that the scrums did not hinder the team's progress.
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