
Rassie: Boks ‘far from perfect' but in a good place after 4-game experiments
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus discusses what he thought of Cobus Wiese's performance at No 8, as well as that of the three debutants. Picture: Dirk Kotze/Gallo Images
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus said the overall picture was far from perfect, but the experiments and tricks conducted in the squads and on the field during the first four matches of the season highlighted much potential.
The Springboks featured close to 50 players, including seven Test debutants, in these opening games. Within 22 days, the Springboks beat the Barbarians 54–7 in a non-Test, Italy 42–24 and 45–0 in two Tests, and then Georgia 55–10 in the latest Test match in Mbombela on Saturday.
Tricks and experiments galore
Fans did not wait long to see Erasmus continue his trademark innovation, as traditional centre André Esterhuizen packed down at flank in the opening game against the Barbarians. A 'hybrid player', Esterhuizen played flank in attack and dropped to centre in defence.
Then, in the second Test against Italy, the Boks played a short kick-off to induce a scrum, and the midfield 'fake lineout' maul from open play. The latter yielded greater results, after World Rugby deemed the former an intentional infringement.
The Springboks employed no tricks in the Georgia Test but named three uncapped players in the front row – an extreme rarity in its own right – and played Cobus Wiese at No 8 though he (just his second Test) had never played there in all his professional career.
Erasmus said after the 40-point thrashing that he was 'fairly happy' with how the season had gone so far, building up to the Rugby Championship next month.
'The laws are the same for everybody. We want to adapt the quickest, faster than any other country. That's what Jaco Peyper teaches us. If there's a new law, we adapt to it,' Erasmus said, snapping his fingers.
Where Cobus Wiese fits into the Springboks
The Bok coach said they had blooded players to be three-deep in each position and tested them in various roles for cover.
'But if we chop and change teams we are building squad depth but lose rhythm. I am glad the guys could, in the last 25 minutes, get some rhythm into the game,' he said after the Georgia win.
'Cobus Wiese … we just want to make sure that if we have a guy like him on the bench he can cover seven and eight for us.
'We learned a lot from Cobus today. And I think he learned a lot from Test match rugby. He's definitely not Jasper yet. I think there are definitely areas where a guy like Evan [Roos] still tops him. But it's his first Test match that he starts at eight and I thought he was pretty solid.'
How the three Springbok debutants did against Georgia
On the three debutants (props Boan Venter and Neethling Fouché, and hooker Marnus van der Merwe), Erasmus said they had gained momentum in the scrums as the game went on, but made tactical errors in gameplay that were common to new players. These would be ironed out.
'They did well in the scrums but they had some errors in attack, being in the right places, cleanouts, ball carries and so on. We've given them 45, 46 minutes and we've seen enough. The scrums were solid enough and we can fix the general play stuff with them.'
Erasmus said it was a positive that the Boks won three games convincingly, tested combinations and tricks, and stayed cohesive on defence despite the new faces.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The South African
4 hours ago
- The South African
Rassie reunites with ex in another sweet family portrait
Rassie Erasmus and his family. Images via Instagram: @rasrugby Rassie Erasmus reunited with his ex-wife in a sweet post celebrating his twin daughters' 21st birthday. Carli and Nikki – the Springbok captain's lookalike daughters – celebrated their birthday in a themed bash over the weekend. Nikki – a University of Stellenbosch student and netball coach – is dating Springbok newbie Andre-Hugo Venter. RASSIE REUNITES WITH EX FOR FAMILY POST On his Instagram account, Rassie Erasmus posted a picture of his family at his twin daughters' birthday celebration. The Boks coach posed alongside his youngest daughter Jani, his ex-wife Nicolene, and his twins Carli and Nikki. The twins hosted a cow-girl themed birthday bash attended by friends and family. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Johan Erasmus (@rasrugby) Earlier this year, Rassie Erasmus and Nicolene reunited for what appeared to be a back-to-school pic. Like many divorced couples, they are also co-parenting amicably. Rassie often posts pics of his children, who are undoubtedly his pride and joy. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Johan Erasmus (@rasrugby) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Johan Erasmus (@rasrugby) A year ago, leaked court documents revealed that Rassie Erasmus and the mother of his three children quietly divorced in April 2024. The couple wed in 2003 and kept their relationship out of the public eye. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.

TimesLIVE
6 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
Boks must fix sloppy breakdown play, says de Jean de Villiers
Fixing sloppy play at the breakdowns is an aspect of their game the Springboks must resolve if they want to make an impact in the Rugby Championship, former Bok star Jean de Villiers says. Though the Boks breezed past the Barbarians, Italy and Georgia, De Villiers said hard work is needed in training ahead of a showdown against the Wallabies at Ellis Park on August 16. 'If you look at the past three Test matches, there are elements of their game that the Boks need to work on,' he said. 'There were things they tried out to see if they could evolve their game even more. 'I think the one element that will concern them a little bit is the breakdown because it was sloppy at times. But that comes with the fact that they were trying to play a more expansive game and you don't have as many numbers playing to the ball. Five tries in three starts 🇿🇦🔥 Has Edwill van der Merwe locked in his spot in The Rugby Championship squad? 🤔💭 #SSRugby — SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) July 22, 2025 'There were also handling errors in the Test against Georgia. I think that it is a combination of the atmosphere, the opposition and the pressure you are being put under and also the way you want to play. 'At the end of the day, if each guy in the team makes one silly error, then suddenly that is 23 errors in the game. It is also 23 times that you give the ball away to the opposition. 'But if you win the game by 45 points and you still have those errors, then it is not a bad performance. 'We know the quality of this team and the high standards they have, and that won't be good enough for them.' De Villiers said competition for places in the starting line-up was driving the Boks forward in their efforts to become an even better team. Boan Venter, Marnus van der Merwe and Neethling Fouché receive their Springbok blazers and caps after making their official debuts against Georgia this weekend 🇿🇦👏 #SSRugby — SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) July 21, 2025 'You want healthy competition within your squad and we certainly have that when it comes to the wing position. We have several world-class wings and probably a couple more who are also knocking on the door as well. It is a fortunate position for South Africa to be in. 'For someone like Edwill van der Merwe, however, it is an unfortunate position to be in. Probably, if we select our best team tomorrow, he does not make the starting 15. But you must keep on pushing and every time you get that opportunity, you must perform and do that week in and week out. 'It is lovely to see how he is putting in the effort and work rate, and hoping for the best. I enjoy players like that and it is an example for youngsters on how they should go about approaching a challenge. 'If you are not getting selected, you work hard and make sure you use any opportunity you get.' Coach Rassie Erasmus said he was satisfied with how the Boks had fared in their opening four matches. 'Overall, to play a team like Georgia that's very physical and disruptive is difficult,' he said. 'But that's not an excuse for us to make so many errors. 'We also have to understand that if we chop and change teams like that, we'll be building squad depth, but we'll be losing rhythm. I'm glad the guys over the last 25 minutes could get some rhythm into the game. We're fairly happy. 'We could always do better, but it was definitely a team that came out to disrupt the flow of the game.' The Herald


The Citizen
8 hours ago
- The Citizen
Blue Bulls enter Currie Cup tournament with good mix of youth and experience
The Bulls showed that they are serious about winning the Currie Cup this year, when Coach Phiwe Nomlomo named his squad for this tournament, which kicks off this coming weekend. No fewer than six of the players who starred for the Junior Springboks in winning the u.20 World Championship and four Springboks are among those named in Nomlomo's squad for the tournament. The robust health of the union's junior pathways is further reflected in another 10 players being u.21, which signals both ambition and confidence on the part of Nomlomo and his coaching team. Thus, more than 50 percent of the squad (excluding the injured list) is comprised of club and u.21 players. Former SA u.20 player Nama Xaba, a flanker, will captain the side this season. Ahead of this weekend's start against Western Province in Cape Town, Nomlomo hailed South African rugby's oldest competition as a 'great opportunity for the players to go out and do their best for themselves and the jersey'. He said he was excited that incoming Bulls URC coach, Johan Ackermann, would be able to see the Currie Cup squad first hand, and to run the rule over the depth at Loftus Versfeld. 'They've put in the work,' said Nomlomo, who is under no illusions as to the strength of the competition. – Loose head prop Lizo Gqoboka, who is back at Loftus Versfeld after his stint in Cape Town, lock Marvin Orie, wing Aphiwe Dyantyi and veteran flank, Nizaam Carr, are the four Springboks in the group, while Stedman Gans is a sevens Bok. – The 31-year-old flyhalf, Jaco van der Walt, played four tests for Scotland in 2020 and 2021. – The world champion Junior Boks who will wear Blue Bulls colours are Esethu Mnebelele, Jacobus Grobbelaar, Jean Erasmus, JJ Theron, Cheswill Jooste and Demitre Erasmus. The full squad for the Currie Cup season is: Forwards: Abri van der Westhuysen; Cassie Badenhorst; Dylan de Leeuw; Dylan Smith; Esethu Mnebelele; Francois Klopper; Jacobus Grobbelaar; Jean Erasmus; Jeandré Rudolph; JJ Theron; Joe van Zyl; Junior Pokomela; Lizo Gqoboka; Marco Ferreira; Marvin Orie; Nama Xaba (captain); Ruan Swart; Shaun Schurmann and Sintu Manjezi. Backs: Boeta Chamberlain; Brooklyn Newmann; Cheswill Jooste; Chris Barend Smit; Daimon O'Connell; Demitre Erasmus; Henry Immelman; Jaco van der Walt; Katlego Letebele; Liam Koen; PA van Niekerk; Riyaad Bam; Stedman Gans; Steven Nel; Stravino Jacobs and Zak Burger. Injured players: Aphiwe Dyantyi; Celimpilo Gumede; Corné Beets; Cornel Smit; Heinrich Theron; Juann Else; Khutha Mchunu; Nizaam Carr and Simphiwe Matanzima. Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!