‘It’s on me’: Guilt-ridden Erasmus vows Springboks response against All Blacks
VIDEO: Rassie Erasmus did not hide behind excuses after the Springboks’ bruising defeat to the All Blacks at Ellis Park. Instead, the Bok coach put the blame squarely on himself – and made it clear he is determined to put things right in Cape Town.
Speaking after naming his team for the second Test of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series, an emotional Erasmus admitted the loss still weighs heavily on him, describing it as a “great opportunity lost” because of decisions made by the Springboks.
“We are very frustrated. We got a big hiding,” Erasmus said.
“What they wanted to do, they got right. What we wanted to do, we tried really hard, but they stopped us with very good tactics.”
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The coach took rare personal responsibility for tactical decisions that unravelled once Kurt-Lee Arendse left the field with a failed Head Injury Assessment and Cheslin Kolbe limped off injured.
“For the first time in a long time, the 5-2/6-2 split backfired on us, and I’ll say it as it is,” Erasmus admitted.
“With that injury to Kurt-Lee, the best probably would have been to put Damian Willemse on the wing, Sacha at fullback and Manie at 10. Then the 12/13 combination stays intact.
“So, me, personally, made some wrong calls on some of the tactics that we wanted to do inside their 22.
“Our plans didn’t work, and that is on me.”
Erasmus believes the All Blacks exposed weaknesses the Springboks simply could not solve, particularly at the breakdown inside New Zealand’s 22.
“We just couldn’t get them out of the breakdown when we were in good attacking positions,” he said.
“It was a great opportunity lost by us, which was caused by us.”
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Despite the self-criticism, Erasmus insisted the mood in the Springbok camp has shifted from frustration to resolve.
“It’s s#!t to be in this position,” he said bluntly.
“I would rather play badly and win than play well and lose. Because I thought for quite a number of minutes we played well.
“But we lost, and that is frustrating.”
Now Erasmus has one clear mission: find the solutions that eluded the Springboks at Ellis Park and level the series in Cape Town, with Siya Kolisi expected to return and the Boks desperate to keep their Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry hopes alive.
