LISTEN: New Bok coach to 'experiment' against Wales
The addition of a one-off Test against Wales in Washington, in the United States, June 2, means South Africa will play four Test in four weeks against top-ranked teams.
After the trip to Washington, the Boks face England, ranked No.2 behind New Zealand, in a three-Test series – June 9 (Johannesburg), June 16 (Bloemfontein) and June 23 (Cape Town).
Erasmus made it clear he will not use the same squad of players for all four Tests and suggested the trip to Washington might be an opportunity to trial some fringe players.
"I know it looks like suicide from the outside," he said of the four-Test run, adding: "But having an extra Test gives us 18 Tests before the World Cup [in Japan next year].
"We see it as an extra match where we can prepare for the World Cup."
Erasmus said he will have to juggle a bit and be creative with his selections in June.
"Seven days later [after the Welsh Test] we play England at altitude [Johannesburg].
"We have to be creative [with our selections], but our plans are in place.
"We have to test some players and those games [June 2 and June 7] might be the place to do it."
The new Bok coach spoke of "splitting" his player resources.
"It might not be an entire split, but [it is] part of the plan.
"You arrive in the United States on a Tuesday, play a match, arrive back the next Tuesday and play a Test at altitude.
"It will be foolish to think you can use one squad of 23 or 26 players that can play in Washington and return and still be competitive against England, who is No.2 in the world."
He said he might use two separate squads, or it might just be some of the bench players who will play in both matches.
Erasmus said the 30-Test rule – which only overseas-based players who have 30 caps or more can be considered outside a World Cup year – is there to prevent players from playing abroad, not to prevent them from playing for the Boks.
"It is working to some extent, but we have to ensure it is fulfilling the goal it was set out to do."
By Josh Isaacson
@isaacson_j
@rugby365com
