After South Africa initiated their year-end journey with a 61-7 triumph against Japan at Wembley Stadium, head coach Rassie Erasmus commended his squad’s physical strength, commitment, and respect for their rivals. However, he acknowledged that the final score wasn’t something he had anticipated.
The Springboks successfully executed eight tries and were also granted a penalty try. Meanwhile, they successfully restricted Eddie Jones’ Brave Blossoms to merely a single converted score. It marked a significant commencement to their tour of the northern hemisphere. Nevertheless, Erasmus promptly moderated expectations regarding their upcoming confrontation with France in Paris the following weekend.
“We must acknowledge the contribution of the entire squad,” Erasmus stated. “Several players, including Gerhard [Steenekamp], Franco [Mostert], Johan [Grobbelaar], Andre [Esterhuizen] at No. 7, and Zachary [Porthen], who was making his debut, haven’t been active for us recently.”
“Additionally, considering a player such as Sacha [Feinberg-Mngomezulu] – who managed to score twice in the game – he previously played for our SA ‘A’ team [three years prior], and he worked alongside the coaches during that tour.”
“Tonight presented a wet playing field against a Japanese team that has historically been challenging for us to overcome. He demonstrated physical prowess as a No. 10. His kicking was accurate, his tackling was solid, and he possesses an innate understanding of the game. Therefore, with him, along with Manie [Libbok] and Handre [Pollard], we are well-positioned in terms of flyhalves.”
While expressing his satisfaction with the performance, Erasmus indicated that the nature of the final result had taken him by surprise.
“We will never forget Brighton, and we have only managed to defeat them on three occasions,” he noted. “We encountered difficulties in overcoming them during the last two matches, including the [2019] RWC quarter-final. We recognize the caliber of Eddie [Jones] as a coach, so I did not foresee this particular outcome.”
“However, for me, the key aspect was the players’ approach to the match, characterized by the respect and physicality they displayed. While not everything was flawless, I am pleased with the level of commitment exhibited by the players.”
Erasmus was already directing his focus towards a considerably tougher challenge at the Stade de France in the upcoming week.
“We are fully aware of the experience of playing against France on their home ground. The enthusiasm, intensity, and ambiance during matches there are distinctly different,” he commented. “I believe we possess adequate depth, experience, and youth within the team. However, participating there presents an entirely different scenario.”
“It’s a highly pressurized environment that can affect you. We secured a victory against them in the [2023] World Cup quarter-final, but we acknowledge how closely contested that match was. Consequently, it’s a crucial game, and Ireland is also on the horizon, in addition to Italy and Wales.”
“Therefore, while we are making progress, we must consistently remind ourselves of these challenges. We knew what to expect at Eden Park [against New Zealand], but we couldn’t succeed. Thus, we must employ intelligent and physical strategies to succeed in the upcoming week.”
Captain Siya Kolisi, who initiated the scoring with his 14th Test try, emphasized that the team’s flexibility and depth were crucial factors in achieving such a dominant performance.
“It’s advantageous to have versatile players, enabling the coaches to select their preferred lineup for the day. This proves particularly beneficial if there are any injuries during the game,” Kolisi explained. “It allows us to adapt and maintain composure.”
Kolisi also acknowledged the enthusiastic supporters who braved the rainy conditions at Wembley to attend the match.
“It was truly remarkable to witness the large turnout of people who came to enjoy the match and even lingered at the end despite the rain,” he said. “We have four more matches on this tour, and we rely on their support. We encourage them to attend the games and express our gratitude for their support this evening.”
