GAME ON: Springboks vs All Blacks or Rassie vs Razor?
Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus and his All Blacks counterpart Scott Robertson are on a collision course in the Rugby Championship. Who’ll come out on top?
As the Springboks and All Blacks gear-up for a title-deciding showdown at Ellis Park, Scott Robertson has heaped praise on his counterpart Rassie Erasmus.
The All Blacks will touch down in South Africa soon for a two-Test Rugby Championship tour, with the game one taking place at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on 31 August, followed by game two at Cape Town Stadium in the Mother City on 7 September.
It’ll be just the third time New Zealand tour South Africa since Erasmus took charge of the Springboks in 2018.
But more than that, these fixtures are likely to determine the Rugby Championship title. The Springboks are currently top of the log, after collecting maximum points in consecutive weeks against the Wallabies; while the All Blacks are sitting in second position following their bonus-point win over Argentina in week.
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Robertson, the All Blacks’ enigmatic and colourful new coach, said he refused to engage in mind games with Erasmus, and instead praised the South African as one of rugby’s great innovators.
“Wouldn’t want to go down [that route] too far, just in case,” Robertson joked about engaging in head games with Erasmus. We just play what is in front of us.
“I know Rassie, played against him and he’s one of the personalities of world rugby, isn’t he? I enjoy his commentary. I bet everyone enjoys a press conference with him.”
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Commenting on the Springboks and All Blacks’ looming fixtures, Robertson admitted that while South Africa has a clear game-plan, his side are still evolving.
“They’ve [Springboks] got a clear DNA, South Africa,” Robertson said in assessing his next opponents. “They’ve been pretty innovative and have evolved really well in the last few games, so that’s the exciting part.
“You get to see enough of them in Test footy and you see how [Erasmus’] mind works. He’s pretty special. The Springboks have got a great group there, so they’re going to be a great Test matches.”
“They’re just a different challenge. They’re set-piece orientated, but can get you in some great kick battles and put pressure [on you] in different ways. It’s a little bit different to [playing in] Lautoka [in Fiji] or playing at Suncorp,” Robertson added when dissecting the Springboks’ game.
“[There’s the] Highveld, there’s conditions, there’s all those factors that come with it. You do miss it, because it’s a different challenge, but it’s an exciting one.”
