Rassie Erasmus Bets on Maximum Strength to Face New Zealand
South African rugby strategist Rassie Erasmus has selected the most powerful team available for the crucial match against New Zealand at Eden Park this Saturday. Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, and Eben Etzebeth lead the starting lineup in this Rugby Championship clash.
After the defeat against Australia in the opening match three weeks ago, the current champions, the Springboks, will have to deploy all their experience in Auckland, a scenario that has historically not favored them (the last South African victory there was in 1937). Willie le Roux, who will reach his 101st match with the national team, will contribute his experience from the fullback position.
“We have selected the best possible team for this epic encounter against the All Blacks at Eden Park. Many of these players have already proven their worth against them,” declared Erasmus.
Rassie Erasmus
Erasmus added that this match will present a different challenge to the last two years, considering that it is played in New Zealand and in a stadium with a favorable history for the home team. The team has worked intensely on the details after the matches against the Wallabies, and now they will focus on implementing their game plan and delivering a performance that fills them with pride.Siya Kolisi regresa al equipo Springboks después de perderse el partido contra los Wallabies en Ciudad del Cabo debido a una molestia.The decision to keep Jesse Kriel as captain, instead of returning the armband to Kolisi, was mainly for logistical reasons, as explained by Erasmus.
“Siya was in doubt for the match at the beginning of the week due to a discomfort suffered a few weeks ago, and we didn’t want to risk him unnecessarily. With Jean-Luc du Preez injured in training, Siya was the obvious choice for the number 8 position,” explained Erasmus.
“At that moment, we had already informed Jesse that he would be the captain, and it was only fair to keep things that way. He is a great leader and one of the key players on our team. His communication with the referee and his teammates is excellent, and he leads by example in his game, so he deserves this opportunity. It will be a great occasion for him to captain against the All Blacks for the first time, and we are proud of Jesse, we know he will take on this responsibility with great pride.”
South Africa has won the last five matches against the All Blacks, and Erasmus is aware of the overall importance of this match, especially for scoring points in the Rugby Championship.
Erasmus added: “The history and rivalry between these teams speak for themselves, and with all the variables surrounding this match, make it particularly notable, so we expect a very contested encounter. There are records at stake for both teams, and there is no doubt that this match will be crucial to try to win the competition, especially given the proximity of the teams in the standings. It will definitely be a special match, and both teams will give it their all.”
“The matches between the Springboks and the All Blacks are always intense, and we know that neither team will hold back. They have announced a quality team with a strong forward pack and an exciting backline, so we are aware of the challenge ahead. There have been large scorelines between both teams in the past, but also many close battles, so the most important thing for us will be to execute our game plan as well as possible, respond to fire with fire and be effective in every aspect of our game. Every point will count in this match, so we must be mentally and physically fit, and make sure we leave nothing on the field.”
