Surging Boks warned ahead of World Cup rematch
SPOTLIGHT: Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus said that New Zealand will be a ‘step up’ in competition following the Springboks’ double victories over the Wallabies in the Rugby Championship.
The back-to-back world champions outscored Australia by four tries to nul to claim a 30-12 victory in front of 58,197 spectators at the Perth Stadium on Saturday.
Following their 33-7 win last week in Brisbane, South Africa made 10 changes for the Perth rematch but it proved to pay off as their depth of talent and firepower off the bench forced the Wallabies into submission in wet conditions.
“We have always struggled against Australia,” said Erasmus as South Africa won four straight matches against the Wallabies for the first time since their readmission to international rugby in 1992.
“We are always pleased with a win, and to get two bonus-point wins over here and the fact that all 33 players on tour played was fantastic.
“There were a few more tries that we could have scored, so it could have been a bigger winning margin, but we are pleased with earning five points two weeks in a row.”
Heavy rain lashed the ground as several players made their way off the field with head injuries amid a ferocious clash.
Australia came off second best on the casualty list, but South Africa lost captain Salmaan Moerat early in the match after getting a knee to his head.
“[Moerat] will go through [concussion] protocols… we do have a week off, so don’t foresee him missing the next game,” Erasmus said.
The Springboks will face the old foe New Zealand in two Test matches in South Africa, with the first taking place at Ellis Park on August 31.
This will be the rematch of the 2023 World Cup Final where South Africa emerged as victors by defending their title in the 12-11 victory over New Zealand.
Following a shock loss to Argentina in the opening round of the Rugby Championship – New Zealand bounced back in style with a 42-10 victory over Los Pumas in the rematch at Eden Park on Saturday.
“We saw how New Zealand turned things around after last week’s result, so we know the challenge that awaits us…it will certainly require another step up,” said Erasmus.
“With all due respect to Australia, they are in a rebuilding phase and [new coach] Joe Schmidt is also still finding his feet, so the next two Tests will be tougher.
“We are facing them at altitude in Johannesburg and then in Cape Town where they enjoy playing, so we are excited about what will be almost a mini-series against them.”
Meanwhile, Australia counted the cost from a gruelling Test after their front row was decimated by head injuries to their captain Allan Alaalatoa, Angus Bell and veteran James Slipper.
Inside centre Hunter Paisami and hooker Josh Nasser also joined the casualty list with leg injuries.
“I’ve been involved in coaching over 100 Test matches and I’ve never seen that [injuries in quick succession] before,” said Schmidt, whose record as Australia coach fell to 3-2.
The winless Wallabies face a daunting task of travelling to Argentina for back-to-back matches.
“It doesn’t get easier going to Argentina next,” Schmidt said.
“They’ll be disappointed with their first-half [against New Zealand], but they demonstrated how tough they can be to beat when they toppled the All Blacks.
“They won’t be taking it easy on us, and we’ll try to make it difficult for them.”
