Rassie: Springboks won’t be affected by reduced fan support in US
The Springbok coach also said the shared flight with the All Blacks had 'good vibes', and being welcomed by fans in Baltimore was special.
Head coach Rassie Erasmus assured that the absence of fans at M&T Bank Stadium for South Africa's Rugby World Cup decider against New Zealand would not significantly impact the team's performance. After a flight with the All Blacks, Erasmus received a warm reception from fans at Baltimore/Washington International Airport, although the Springboks would still be playing without their supporters' presence.
Despite South Africa's 2-1 lead in the series, the team will give their all in the fourth and final Test, which they view as emotionally significant as their last match on South African soil. Erasmus drew a parallel to their 2021 home series against the British & Irish Lions, which was played in empty stadiums due to Covid-19 restrictions, to illustrate how the team copes with playing in front of empty stadiums.
He emphasized that the players and coaches don't dislike each other, comparing the shared flight experience to their past encounters with New Zealand, and highlighted the team's competitive nature.
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