Judge us on World Cup: Boks
Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus at least has his staff singing from the same hymn sheet in Wellington for Saturday’s mission improbable against the All Blacks.
After the coach’s assertion he could well be sacked if their losses continue, just months into his six-year contract, his assistant Matt Proudfoot continued the theme on Tuesday, insisting individual victories paled in comparison to next year’s World Cup.
Amid one of world rugby’s fiercest, tightest rivalries it was an intriguing message from the Boks, rated $7.50 outsiders with the TAB to topple the All Blacks after back to back losses in Mendoza (32-19) and Brisbane (2318).
“Rassie has made it very clear that if we don’t get transformation right, if we don’t get the squad right to be competitive at the World Cup, it doesn’t matter what we do. Bringing a squad together that could win an individual game isn’t what it’s about for us,” Proudfoot said.
“We realise as coaches and management and this is driven by Rassie - that if we have to get fired for an individual loss or series of losses... then so be it. We started a process that will develop a team that’s competitive at the World Cup and represents South Africa as a nation united, that’s what this squad is about.”
Proudfoot, a former Scotland prop who served on previous Boks coach Allister Coetzee’s staff, said their numerous team changes on tour were designed to give younger players experience ahead of the World Cup. Improving the team week to week was their biggest goal.
But the pressure was mounting ahead of the team’s home matches against Australia and New Zealand, with former internationals Rob Louw, Breyton Paulse, Joel Stransky and Kobus Wiese all weighing in with their dismay.
“We hear it, obviously you listen to it. For all the people who criticise there are people supporting us. I can show you my phone and the messages of support we get from past players, ‘just stick with what you’re doing’,” Proudfoot said.
“They can see the effort and what this team is doing on the field. Mistakes are going to happen when you’re developing a side. Every second half has been above our opponents and that’s effort. We will get the execution right the more experience this team gets.” Wellington hasn’t been South Africa’s favourite destination. The Boks haven’t beaten the All Blacks in six tests at Westpac Stadium, and lost there to Australia in the 2011 World Cup quarterfinal. Their last win over the All Blacks in the capital was in 1998 at the old Athletic Park.