Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus says he wants to ensure that South Africa’s clash of the hemisphere’s showdown with France on Friday night gets the respect it deserves.
Erasmus was quick to spot any potential excuses that the French team may be under-strength or undercooked and did his best to nullify those theories.
He also made it clear that this Springbok side is his strongest available team, because the Boks are also struggling with injuries.
The Boks have shocked the Rugby world yet again, particularly those in the Northern Hemisphere, with the strength and depth within the ranks of the green and gold.
A lot of test-playing nations can barely believe the quality the Boks have at their disposal.
It’s become a bone of contention amongst the Northern superpowers, and as if to drive the point home, Bok coach Rassie Erasmus was clear in listing all the players he could not select.
“Yes, I know they have injuries, but for us, Frans Malherbe is not here, and he is going to play in January. He will be considered for the World Cup next year. RG Snyman is not here. Eben Etzebeth has just flown down. He is not going to get picked. Kwagga Smith is not here. Andre Esterhuizen is not here. Handre Pollard is not here. Cheslin Kolbe is not here. So, who is understrength?”
Erasmus wants to nip any potential excuses in the bud, while also making it clear that it’s the Northern Hemisphere that holds the upper hand at this time of year.
“We are at the back end of our season. We have got a maximum of three games left. They played in six nations, and then they played in June, where they were pretty, I think June is their window where they are really match fit and energetic, and it is not punch-drunk. We feel at the end of the season we really have to graft, us, New Zealand, Australia, maybe Japan, Argentina, and they are building up to these matches, and then they have the six nations in two months’ time.”
After this showdown between the best nation in the North, France, versus the best nation in the South, South Africa, there should be no doubt, or excuses left on the table.
That is, until the Springboks get to Dublin for their next match against Ireland.