VIDEO: Rassie's 'gamble' and internal conflict paid off in 2024

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus praised his team’s achievements in 2024, especially after his own internal conflict regarding the rotation policy.

The Boks used a total of 52 players this year and they won 11 of their 13 Tests.

Their only defeats were one-point losses against Ireland and Argentina.

On Saturday, the Boks recorded a 45-12 victory over Wales at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium, which ensured that they were unbeaten on their traditional November tour for the first time since 2013.

The story continues below…

“It’s more important how those players slotted in and how we didn’t lose a lot of momentum, which I thought would’ve been the case,” said Erasmus.

“With a new attack [Tony Brown] and defence [Jerry Flannery] coach and chopping and changing, I think we did lose rhythm at times.

“For Siya [Kolisi] and all the other guys who were captains this year, I think how they pulled the team together was really important.”

The story continues below…

#SPOTLIGHT: Boks count their wounded after Cardiff win 👇#Wales #SouthAfrica #Springboks #WALvRSA https://t.co/TOxuoinz9P

— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) November 23, 2024

Erasmus admitted he had sleepless nights at the start of the season when he was getting ready to approach his players about his plan.

“My big worry at the beginning of the season was how the players would take swapping in and out and building and accepting that we are not 26 players, but we are 50 plus,” Erasmus explained.

“I didn’t know if the senior guys would understand they would probably make their careers longer if they don’t play every single Test match every week and give the younger guys a chance.

“That was the worry I fought with internally in my head, but I think we were honest with the guys in the beginning.

“We actually said, ‘Those who don’t want to buy into this, unfortunately, you can’t be part of the group’.

“With that sort of gamble in my heart and wondering if it will work, those results mean a lot.”

Kolisi, who played in his 92nd Test in Cardiff, said the way Erasmus took the pressure off him as the captain was instrumental in the team’s success.

“We are so lucky with the kind of leadership we have in this group, and the way coach Rassie set up the group and took the pressure away from me with everyone having their own pressure points really helps,” said Kolisi.

“I’m very proud of what we’ve achieved, and to be honest, the younger me would have never thought I would be here, and that’s why it’s all so special.

“We now have to go back to our unions and clubs and have to wait six months to fight again for our places in the squad for next year.”

@rugby365com