Huge expectations on Boks
ERASMUS: WE MAY NOT BE FAVOURITES BUT THESE PLAYERS WILL LEAVE NOTHING IN THE TANK
South Africa must defy history to lift the Webb Ellis Cup.
In what could be an iconic moment for South African rugby, a potential place in history awaits the Springboks when they meet England in the World Cup final in Yokohama today.
The Boks are looking for their third title after winning the tournament in 1995 and 2007, while England are in search of their second global crown after lifting the trophy in 2003.
Ahead of his final Test in charge of the national side, however, Bok coach Rassie Erasmus conceded they might not be the title favourites following England’s demolition job of New Zealand in last week’s semifinals.
“We may not be favourites but these players will leave nothing in the tank,” Erasmus said.
“We know how the wins in 1995 and 2007 lifted the country, even if it was momentarily, and we want to give South Africa that experience once again.”
While Bok supporters are expected to zone in on the performances of scrumhalf Faf de Klerk and fullback Willie le Roux, the penalty kicks of Bok flyhalf Handre
Pollard and English skipper Owen Farrell could prove to be the key factors in what is likely to be a tight encounter.
Eager to defy the odds, the Boks are aiming to become the first team to win the World Cup and the Rugby Championship titles in one season, as well as the first team to lift the William Webb Ellis Cup after losing a match in the pool stages.
Erasmus believes they have gradually built momentum since their 23-13 defeat to the All Blacks in their opening game of the tournament, which remains their only loss of the season.
“We have been developing some momentum through the tournament, which has come from consistency,” he said.
“Although we know there are things we can do better, this is a fit, well-practiced set of combinations and they know what they have to do.”
Their momentum has seen the SA side climbing back into the top two of the World Rugby rankings for the first time in more than four years, and they are hoping to carry the expectations of a nation for 80 minutes.
“We know the excitement there is back home and that the country may well be coming to a standstill on Saturday at 11am in South Africa,” Erasmus said.
“There’s a huge weight of expectation.”
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