'Keep Rassie in control' says former Bok wing
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Former South Africa winger Stefan Terblanche said it is of utmost importance that Rassie Erasmus remains at the Springboks as the World Cup 2027 is slowly approaching.
Halfway through the cycle to the next World Cup in 2027 in Australia, South Africa remains in an excellent position to defend their crown.
They are unbeaten so far this Nations Series, following wins over Japan, France, Italy and Ireland.
However, there are concerns that some of their key players are beginning to get on in years.
Iconic captain Siya Kolisi will be 36 by the time the tournament kicks off, while flyhalf Handre Pollard will be 33.
“There are some players that you perhaps might be starting to ask questions about, not because of the way they play, purely because of their age, the amount of rugby they’ve played,” Terblanche told AFP.
“I know that Rassie will have a plan with his management staff to look after players like Handre Pollard, Siya.
“I think the importance here is to keep Rassie in control for the next two years.
“He does things by Rassie’s book, and I think at the moment it’s working for South Africa,” he added.
The Springboks will play their final European tour match against Wales this Saturday.
It will certainly be a huge challenge for the Welsh, who have been struggling in recent times.
However, Terblanche believes that with new head coach Steve Tandy at the helm, they have a chance to turn their fortunes around in the future.
The former Bok said Tandy reminds him of Springbok boss Erasmus.
Tandy took over at the Principality Stadium earlier this year before leading Wales to a narrow win over Japan in mid-November – their first home Test win since 2023, coming between defeats to Argentina and New Zealand.
Erasmus, on the other hand, has been with the Boks since 2017 and has guided them to back-to-back Rugby World Cup titles, thanks in no small part to his tactical ingenuity, helping awaken a sleeping giant in the sport.
Terblanche featured alongside former flanker Tandy between 2003 and 2007 at the Ospreys and ran out for the Boks with former back-rower Erasmus.
“People will say to me, you’re mad, but he [Tandy] reminds me a lot about Rassie,” Terblanche told AFP on Wednesday.
“They thought about the game deeply. When we were playing cards after a game, they were analysing the game.
“I think that’s what gave them the edge at that time,” the 37-time international added.
Terblanche still keeps in touch with 45-year-old Tandy, whose attack-minded style of play helped Wales to a first home win in two years.
“I think there’s really a huge improvement. It’s not an overnight fix,” Terblanche said.
“He might not enforce it right now, but let him find his feet.
“I think we will all see the benefits for Welsh rugby having a coach like Steve in control,” the 50-year-old added.
With the upcoming meeting between the two sides falling outside World Rugby’s Test window, both Wales and South Africa will be obliged to field much-changed XVs in Cardiff.
“We [South Africa] can put out a team on the weekend, and you’ll still see guys who’ve got lots of caps, who’ve played a lot of rugby and who are still some of the great players at the moment in world rugby,” Terblanche said.
“Those guys also, it doesn’t matter how good you are as a team, you need to gel and play together.”
For Terblanche, the enforced absence of some regulars could give those selected to start for Wales an added incentive.
“It’s a great opportunity for these young guys and for the [Wales] guys who’ve had a few caps just to say ‘Steve, take notice of me. I’m willing to lay it on the line for Wales’,” he explained.
