The National Times - Erasmus under 'no illusions' as tough Springboks season kicks off

"We are under no illusions about the challenges that lie ahead," said a key figure in transforming the Springboks from the "laughing stock" of rugby to world champions.

The former South Africa loose forward inherited in 2018 a team ranked seventh in the world, that had lost to then European lightweights Italy, and were playing in half-empty stadiums.

Under Erasmus the Springboks won the 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cup tournaments, won the last two editions of the southern hemisphere Rugby Championship, and top the rankings.

He has chosen just six of his best XV for the non-cap exhibition match against the BaaBaas, including double World Cup-winning captain and loose forward Siya Kolisi.

Then comes the inaugural Nations Championship, starting with home fixtures in July against England, Scotland and Wales.

Arch rivals New Zealand arrive in August for a first full tour of the republic in 30 years. There will be three Tests in South Africa, then one in the United States, plus four other fixtures.

There will also be one-off Tests in Argentina, before the All Blacks arrive, and Australia after a New Zealand tour being labelled the "Greatest Rivalry".

More Nations Championship Tests, away to Italy, France and Ireland, follow in November before the finals of the new competition at Twickenham.

Depth is a word Erasmus uses often. Last year he wanted "at least three options in each position". He now talks of "five or six contenders".

That might seem an unnecessary high number of candidates, but the build-up to the BaaBaas justifies the Erasmus approach.

Scrum-halves Cobus Reinach, Morne van den Berg and Jaden Hendrikse are injured and Embrose Papier plays for the Bulls against Leinster on Friday in the United Rugby Championship final.

- Spread net wide -

But Erasmus has spread his net so wide that there is no crisis regarding the No. 9 shirt. Grant Williams starts, and double World Cup winner Faf de Klerk is on the bench.

South Africa will field their best current back row of Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Jasper Wiese and loosehead prop Ox Nche is the fourth first choice among the forwards.

In the backline, wing Cheslin Kolbe and outside centre Jesse Kriel start. The absence of injured fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu gives versatile Quan Horn a chance as playmaker.

Two uncapped forwards, tighthead prop Carlu Sadie from European champions Bordeaux-Begles and lock Riley Norton ,are among those being given a chance to shine, amid encouragement from Kolisi.

"It does not matter whether you have played 100 Tests or not even one. It is all about embracing the Springbok culture," he told reporters.

"There are so many good players seeking to fill each position. Every one wants to be in the matchday 23 and that creates tremendous competition."

Kolisi added that it was now irrelevant that South Africa have enjoyed two outstanding seasons since edging New Zealand 12-11 in the 2023 World Cup final.

"Since the final, we have won 23 of 27 internationals and congratulations to everyone connected with the Springboks for that achievement.

"But that is the past. Now, our focus is on the future. Rassie has instilled a winning mentality and we must maintain it."

South Africa also began last season against the Barbarians, winning 54-7 on a sodden Cape Town pitch. Another comfortable win for the Springboks is on the cards in coastal city Gqeberha.

With the top countries preparing for the July 4 Nations Championship launch, the BaaBaas coaches, New Zealander Scott Robertson and Argentine Felipe Contepomi, had limited options.

They did, however, secure Argentina fly-half Tomas Albornoz, a promising successor to Nicolas Sanchez, and giant South Africa-born Scotland wing Duhan van der Merwe.

T.Bennett--TNT