‘Good guy and a very good coach’: Rassie Erasmus on Les Kiss rivalry
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus said he had nothing but respect for Les Kiss, whom he knew well from his days coaching in Ireland.
Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus anticipates the Wallabies to enter their one-off Test match with a sense of anticipation, expecting to "lick their lips" in the prospect of overcoming South Africa under the guidance of their coach, Les Kiss. The Springboks have claimed five of their last six Test victories against Australia, including their recent 30-22 triumph in Cape Town during the Rugby Championship last year. This followed the Wallabies' 38-22 victory at Ellis Park, marking their second-ever win at the venue.
With Les Kiss, who Erasmus had previously faced during his time coaching Munster in 2016 and 2017, presenting a formidable challenge, the Springboks enter the match with high expectations. Erasmus, who shared these sentiments after unveiling his team, acknowledged that the Wallabies would come prepared to test South Africa, seeking to establish a strong foothold in the encounter. He stated that the Springboks would strive to achieve the same objective.
The coach highlighted the community of Terrigal, where the team has been based since their previous Test, expressed excitement in witnessing the Wallabies' assertive performance. The team would depart for Perth on Thursday, opting to remain in Terrigal to become familiar with their base ahead of their upcoming World Cup warm-up fixture against Fiji in the following year.
Erasmus also shared his thoughts on the upcoming match, stating that he was still actively involved in the sport when Kiss transitioned from his role as Ulster director of rugby to coaching the Wallabies. Kiss, who had previously played rugby league before delving into rugby union coaching, boasted a wealth of experience, evident through his tenure as Springbok defence coach under Harry Viljoen.
By the time they became rivals at the Irish unions, Erasmus held a high regard for Kiss, describing him as a "great guy" and a "very good coach". The coach hinted at a significant battle ahead, acknowledging that South Africa would likely focus on disrupting the Wallabies' defensive breakdown. To counter this, Erasmus selected Marco van Staden at No 8, confident that the player would aid in thwarting the Wallabies' attempts in this area.
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