Springboks facing moment of truth

Another massacre … or could the beleaguered Springboks be gracious, albeit in probable defeat?

These were the questions which lingered when Bok fans woke up this morning ahead of the Rugby Championship battle against the mighty All Blacks in Wellington.

Having lost their last six Tests against the All Blacks, Bok coach Rassie Erasmus (above) said today’s match would prove to him how far the team had come after seven games this year, of which they had won just three.

In sharp contrast, All Black coach Steve Hansen boasts 79 wins from 88 Tests since taking over from Graham Henry in 2012.

Erasmus, however, made it clear he felt today’s match-23 was close to the strongest lineup he had selected this year, though he admitted some players hadn’t made the grade.

“We must think carefully where we are heading with this team because there are a couple of guys who have made it, but there are also a couple who didn’t,” Erasmus said.

The All Blacks had set the benchmark in world rugby, for which every team was striving, and they were heading relentlessly towards another Rugby Championship title.

While the Boks were set to take the physical fight to the Kiwis, they could play any game on any given day, while Erasmus insisted they needed to be in the contest the last 20-25 minutes – when the All Blacks normally put teams to bed – in order to put up a fight.

“Everybody thinks it’s a massive task that awaits us, but last week against Australia was just as tough after the loss to Argentina,” Erasmus said.

“So we are trying to be better each week, but it’s something the people back home don’t want to hear.”

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