The Springboks’ director of rugby, Rassie Erasmus, commended the team’s skipper, Siya Kolisi, for his positive reaction to being substituted at halftime during their impressive 32–17 triumph against France in Paris.
The victory — the Springboks’ most significant on French soil since 1997 — happened despite Lood de Jager receiving a red card near the end of the first half. This forced Erasmus to make some alterations, on a day that marked both his 50th Test match as head coach and Kolisi’s 100th appearance for his country.
Kolisi was taken off at the interval, allowing Andre Esterhuizen to step in and cover the back row, a decision that Erasmus conceded was a difficult one, given the circumstances.
“I also want to express my gratitude to our captain, who was replaced because Andre can operate as both a loose forward and a centre, which was a challenging decision,” Erasmus commented. “However, when I informed him, he accepted it without complaint and understood the situation.”
Erasmus suggested that this moment exemplified the sense of selflessness that permeates the squad, acknowledging the collective attitude that enabled the 14-man Springboks to rally, scoring three tries in the last 20 minutes at the Stade de France.
Player Turnovers Lost
1
Romain Ntamack
3
2
Kurt-Lee Arendse
3
3
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu
3
“I believe the players who started the game likely wore down the opposition, and then the replacements were able to come on and finish the job,” he stated. “Even when Manie [Libbok] entered the game and Sasha [Feinberg-Mngomezulu] moved to fullback, I felt that everyone had a positive effect. This stems from the players’ understanding that it takes a 23-man effort, and the coaches developed effective strategies, which made it easier for the players coming off the bench.”
The Springboks’ director of rugby was quick to give credit to his support staff for their influence during the halftime break.
“I can claim very little credit for what was said at halftime, as the coaches from the various departments did the majority of the talking and devised plans,” Erasmus stated. “Many people have suggested that the players are getting older, but they are becoming wiser. We were extremely determined to win this match. Playing here in France is challenging, but we were fortunate to have experienced it in 2022 and 2023. As a result, the players’ experience, along with the coaching team and assistant coaches, helped us develop our strategies.”
Erasmus also expressed his appreciation for the South Africans who stayed up late to watch the Test match back in their home country.
“It was likely close to midnight at home when the final whistle blew, so I’d like to thank the people who stayed up and watched the game – we play for them and for South Africa,” he remarked.
Kolisi, who became only the ninth Springbok player to reach 100 appearances for his country, described the occasion as emotional but insisted that the victory was the only thing that mattered.
“A lot of my family were present, along with people who have supported me along the way, and I am very grateful for that,” Kolisi stated. “However, my focus was on the game because we were aware of how much they wanted to win this match.”
“I must give credit to the team; they performed exceptionally well, and I am proud of them and our coaching staff for creating plans and remaining composed. That is what makes this team special.”
“On a day like today, having to leave the field was a perfect example of prioritizing the team. When coach Rassie approached me, it was a matter of setting aside personal emotions because the team comes first, and I commend them for the way they fought.”
Kolisi also returned the compliment, marking Erasmus’ own milestone with a sincere nod to his impact beyond the sport of rugby.
“Today marked his 50th game as head coach, and he never made it about himself this week. It was all about the team,” he said. “So, thank you, Coach, for everything that you do for us. You have no idea what you’ve accomplished, not just in terms of rugby, but in the mindset in which we perceive each other and our country.”
“When you speak, we gain so much from you, so thank you for all that you do. We truly appreciate it.”
