As South Africa prepares for the pivotal third test against New Zealand this Saturday at FNB Stadium, head coach Rassie Erasmus has expressed his frustration over comments made by All Blacks coach Dave Rennie regarding the Springboks' scrum. The two teams are currently tied 1-1 in their historic four-test series, making this match crucial for both sides.
Erasmus's ire stems from Rennie's repeated assertions that the Springboks have been employing tactics to slow down the game and that their scrum has been ineffective. These claims have been a source of contention since Rennie's arrival in South Africa a month ago. Following New Zealand's victory in the first test, where they won 33-16 at Ellis Park, Rennie accused the Springboks of deliberately slowing the pace of play and later suggested their scrum was 'walking around.'
After South Africa's narrow 33-26 win in the second test, Erasmus took to the press conference to voice his displeasure, using strong language to emphasize his point. "It started early in the tour when they complained about teams slowing the ball down. I think it should be clear now we are not slowing the ball down. It was a plan on their part. It's the first time in history that these people are talking about us walking around. So why would we want to start walking around now? We are not (expletive) walking around. We scrum through," he stated.
During a team announcement on Monday, Erasmus elaborated on his feelings, indicating that his frustration was not solely directed at Rennie but at the broader issue of how opinions can be misconstrued as facts. He noted, "Once you put a narrative out like that, everybody starts focusing on that, all media, all podcasts, and a lot have got no knowledge about scrums." Erasmus emphasized that their scrum coach, Daan Human, would never instruct players to adopt a strategy that is not aligned with their strengths.
While Erasmus acknowledged the mind games that often accompany high-stakes matches, he also expressed his own grievances regarding the All Blacks' play, which he chose not to air publicly. His caution stems from previous suspensions by World Rugby for criticizing referees, which have made him wary of discussing contentious issues in the media.
Former Springboks coach Nick Mallett weighed in on the situation, suggesting that the ongoing back-and-forth between the coaches could detract from the series itself. He remarked, "You see a strength in the opposition and you try to negate it. Every coach does it."
In terms of team changes, Erasmus has made one enforced adjustment ahead of the third test, moving Cheslin Kolbe to fullback to replace the injured Damian Willemse, while Kurt-Lee Arendse will take Kolbe's place on the wing. Erasmus confirmed that other injured players, including Handré Pollard and Grant Williams, will be fit to travel for the fourth test in Baltimore next week. He emphasized the importance of securing a win in the upcoming match, stating, "We're desperate to make sure we don't go to Baltimore to play for a (series) draw."
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