The 52-year-old led his back-to-back Rugby World Cup-winning outfit to a 32-17 win over Les Bleus, despite playing down a man for a whole half, with a centre covering at flanker.
PARIS – South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus has long been lauded for revolutionising rugby with original strategic moves but Saturday’s epic comeback win over France highlighted his abilities as the world’s leading tactician.
, despite playing down a man for a whole half, with a centre covering at flanker. On the back of winning the Rugby Championship, it was an all-round performance against the Six Nations champions that clearly marks out the Boks as the stand-out side in the game, well ahead of New Zealand, France and the rest – and Erasmus as the best game manager around. During his Springbok tenure, the former Free State flanker, who won 37 international caps, has innovated with strokes of genius such as naming a bench with just one back and rolling mauls in open play.Lock Lood de Jager’s 40th-minute red card forced Erasmus to react by bringing off iconic captain and back-rower Siya Kolisi on his 100th Test to make space for Esterhuizen to play a hybrid role. “Our captain on his 100th match had to be taken off because we had to have Andre who can play loose forward and centre on the field,” Erasmus told reporters.In July, 31-year-old Esterhuizen, usually a centre for the club side Sharks, came off the bench against the Barbarians to feature among the Bok forwards for the first time. The powerful midfielder did so again last weekend in the rout of Japan, before playing a crucial role at the Stade de France as the Boks fought back, having trailed by three points with 20 minutes to go.Earlier this week, ex-Munster director of rugby Erasmus said the move to try Esterhuizen in a different position, making him more versatile was to give him a chance of playing more Tests.”It was good, especially in a game like this where it was needed, it contributed quite a bit,” he added.With 32 minutes to play he brought on five forwards, in an attempt to mimick Erasmus’ ‘Bomb Squad’ tactic of introducing a host of forwards from the bench at once, which worked superbly at the 2019 World Cup triumph.”We gambled with our substitutions in the second half because their second halves this season have been very good,” Galthie said.The defeat marked a second time in 23 months for Erasmus to get one over his French counterpart, who had visited him while he was working with the Irish province between 2016 and 2017. Two years ago, Erasmus beat Galthie’s outfit at the Rugby World Cup, also at the Stade de France, with a simple, direct gameplan which included an accurate kicking game.
Ewn News News Eyewitness News Eye Witness News Latest News News Today Ewn South Africa Ewn-News Primedia+ Primedia Plus Prime Media Plus
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Rankings: Springboks’ Fate at the Top and BeyondAnalysis of the potential impacts on the World Rugby rankings based on the upcoming matches, particularly focusing on the Springboks vs. France clash and how other results might shift the top 10.
Read more ”
Springboks to Wear White Against France in Historic MatchThe Springboks will play France in their white away kit, a departure from their traditional green and gold, for a match marking Siya Kolisi’s 100th test cap and Rassie Erasmus’s 50th as head coach. This match is their first meeting since the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final and will take place at the Stade de France.
Read more ”
Erasmus Denies Mind Games, Emphasizes Fan Engagement Ahead of France TestSpringboks director of rugby Rassie Erasmus dismisses claims of ‘mind games,’ clarifying his social media activity aims to connect with fans and provide insight. He highlights his relationship with French coach Fabien Galthié and anticipates a tough match.
Read more ”
Springboks Treat France Test Like Knockout MatchThe Springboks, led by captain Siya Kolisi, are treating their upcoming Test against France as a crucial match, aiming to retain their world No. 1 ranking and secure a favorable pool for the 2027 Rugby World Cup. The match is also significant for France, who seek revenge for their quarter-final loss to the Springboks in the 2023 World Cup.
Read more ”
SA Rugby Celebrates Kolisi and Erasmus’s Historic MilestonesSA Rugby congratulates Siya Kolisi and Rassie Erasmus on their upcoming milestones: Kolisi’s 100th Test and Erasmus’s 50th Test as head coach. Their contributions are hailed as instrumental to South African rugby’s recent successes.
Read more ”
Tribute to Kolisi and Erasmus: Celebrating Milestones in South African RugbyA tribute to Siya Kolisi and Rassie Erasmus following the Springboks’ victory over France, celebrating their significant milestones and their contributions to South African rugby.
Read more “
