Rassie’s start fair enough — in context
● Two wins from four matches at the start of your Springbok coaching career could and should be deemed a failure. But context is crucial and looking at the pieces Johan “Rassie” Erasmus had to pick up from the failed Allister Coetzee tenure, 50% is a qualified success.
Erasmus was quick to acknowledge he had a sound enough platform provided by Coetzee.
Before the Albany Annihilation at the hands of a rampant and hurt All Black side, Coetzee’s Boks looked like they were onto something good.
Power-packed forwards, savvy backs
However, the collective implosion on that chilly September night on the North Shore was the beginning of the end for Coetzee. However, an end always seems to lead to a new beginning.
The Erasmus reign is now in full swing and the four tests against Wales and England provided a glimpse of a bold but measured future. The forwards came to the party in more ways than one in Johannesburg and Bloemfontein.
A pack shorn of Eben Etzebeth’s and Lood de Jager’s physical talents sent shivers down the spine of an unconvinced South African rugby public. While the Super Rugby lieutenants were serviceable, a fire-and-brimstone England pack needed hefty firefighters who could deal with their flames. Provided they hedge their bets with their local franchises, RG Snyman and Franco Snyman consummately comforted the nation.
While England’s pack went from shambolic to dominant in the three tests, Maro Itoje and Joe Launchbury weren’t as effective as Eddie Jones would have envisaged. This and scrumming displays of the ages from the well-balanced front row made life easy for the backs. Handre Pollard’s spot tackling and defensive prowess are questionable but his game management isn’t. The backs flowed like the Hennops River in flood but the defensive organisation of the backline needs urgent attention.
The deficits the Boks conceded in Johannesburg (21 points) and Bloemfontein (12 points) will lead to canings against the All Blacks and the Wallabies. The defensive flaws, whether systemic or personnel, need urgent attention. However, they were also symptomatic of a new team with fresh combinations that requires time to gel. The acid test will be the Australasian leg of the Rugby Championship where Australia and New Zealand provide a backline cutting edge missing from Jones’s tired England outfit.
The perfect midfield combo
This is probably the only question Erasmus needs to answer. Damian de Allende did not convince, which put pressure on Lukhanyo Am. Nor did Andre Esterhuizen in atrocious conditions at Newlands, which leaves Jan Serfontein as the only viable 12 option.
Whether he’ll be in shape and form come August remains to be seen but he and Am form a midfield pair that needs a dry run against Argentina before the tour Down Under.
The Warren Whiteley question will also be answered in no uncertain terms, especially with how Duane Vermeulen rolled back the clock.
Siya Kolisi was not only a capable leader but did what was required of him at openside flank while Jean-luc du Preez did not disappoint as the No 7 jumper.
Pieter-Steph du Toit is a lock, not a flank, which bodes well for SA’s depth in the position but the No 8 conundrum is one for Erasmus to stew over for the next six weeks.