Rassie hits back at critics: 'Who's wrong?'
NEWS: Head coach Rassie Erasmus does not think the Springboks’ latest tactics deployed against Italy in Gqeberha last weekend are ‘against the spirit of the game’.
Many online users and rugby pundits have slammed Erasmus for his latest round of innovations in the game, but the Bok boss took to social media to defend these tactics.
South Africa began their 45-0 victory over Italy by intentionally conceding a scrum at the kick-off; flyhalf Mane Libbok kicked the ball less than 10 meters, and André Esterhuizen caught it having been offside three metres in front of him.
The tactic was implemented because the Boks wanted to target the Azzurri’s set-piece, but they conceded a free kick for pushing too early in the scrum.
The Springboks also set up mauls in open play twice during the game, with props lifting a pass receiver in the air as though they were in a line-out or waiting to catch a kick-off. South Africa scored a try from both moves.
The key question around the kick-off move concerns Law 9.7, which states that players “must not intentionally infringe any law of the game”.
The Bok coach’s most recent post on X involves a discussion about scrummaging, specifically addressing a user’s comment about deliberate’ rule-breaking’ in scrums and whether that constitutes cheating.
The conversation revolves around the idea that some teams avoid scrums while others try to force them, and whether this impacts the spirit of the game.
Some people have commented online that his latest innovations are controversial and angered many.
In his latest post, Erasmus defended the tactics and pointed to a scrum between the Springboks and Italy, questioning if the latter’s tactics were also not in the spirit of the game.
I guess one can always argue what is against the spirit of the game!! Some teams avoid scrums and others make sure they get scrums! Who’s wrong 🤷🏼♂️ pic.twitter.com/SIa19d3DXm
— Johan Erasmus (@RassieRugby) July 14, 2025
Totaly agree like that scrum feed straight to the 8! spot on Tom 👍 https://t.co/SXlWQ9ICn2
— Johan Erasmus (@RassieRugby) July 14, 2025
“I guess one can always argue what is against the spirit of the game!! Some teams avoid scrums and others make sure they get scrums! Who’s wrong” he wrote.
This post drew varied responses from followers:
The scrum is integral to Rugby union, if some don’t want to scrum, they can go play rugby league!
— C A Botha (@CarlBotha2) July 15, 2025
keep on moving the needle, the point(s) of difference
anyway I got a feeling the coaches and players are having fun, that must be important
what is next? we are waiting!— Rágnár Ván Töndérsön (@Slipcatch) July 14, 2025
But Rassie the point you are missing here is that they don’t bend the rules to do that. It’s alright to play for the strengths but when you do what you did in a kick off , it takes the importance and the whole purpose of the kick off out. Innovation and creativity , I am all for…
— Chalyn.Rugby (@ChalynRugby) July 14, 2025
South Africa face Georgia at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit this weekend, and they kick off their Rugby Championship with back-to-back home Tests against Australia in Johannesburg and Cape Town on August 16 and 23, respectively.
Images by Anton Geyser Media
NEW IN THE APP: Official World Rugby Rankings hub! Compare team rankings side-by-side, with data going back 20 years.
Download the RugbyPass app on the App Store (iOS) and Google Play (Android) now!
