Rassie Erasmus expects All Blacks backlash
With the one-point loss in the Rugby World Cup final still hanging over them the All Blacks will want blood when they visit Ellis Park and DHL Stadium.
The Springboks are expecting a backlash from the All Blacks with the New Zealanders having their backs to the wall.
With the one-point loss in the Rugby World Cup final still hanging over them the All Blacks will want blood.
Top of the table heading into these encounters, the Springboks will be favourites for these clashes.
Springboks expect All Blacks response
However, Rassie Erasmus is not willing to write off the Springboks’ greatest rivals.
The record between the sides speaks for itself.
“New Zealand are ranked third in the world, and they always test us to the limit,” said Erasmus.
“We also saw last week what they can do under pressure when they defeated Argentina 42-10 after going down in their first Test against the Pumas.
“We know these two tests will provide a completely different challenge to what we’ve faced against an Australian team that is still finding their feet with a new coach and a bunch of young players coming through the ranks.
“They are one of the best teams in the world and they tend to deliver top drawer performances against us time and time again, so we have to be charged up physically and mentally for the challenge ahead.
“It’s good that we are facing them at home in front of our passionate supporters in sold-out stadiums, although they have a strong support base in Cape Town, so we are under no illusions about what lies ahead.
“That said, it’s vital for us to continue building on the momentum that we gained in our first two games.
“We are currently at the top of the Castle Lager Rugby Championship table, but one result can change that, so we realise the importa
Squad refreshed
The Springboks welcome back injured stars Jaden Hendrikse, Steven Kitshoff and Canan Moodie and have made a surprising recall of one-cap Bok Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg.
Jasper Wiese and Andre Esterhuizen also link up with the group.
“It’s good to have Steven, Jaden and Canan back from injury, along with Jasper and Andre. They are all Rugby World Cup winners, who have delivered quality performances consistently against the top teams in the world, so they’ll bring experience and their unique skillsets to this squad,” Erasmus added.
“As a team we are in a good position in terms of squad depth with 32 of the 33 players on tour playing against the Wallabies – the only exception was RG Snyman who suffered a foot niggle – and we have full faith in the young players to showcase their talent once again against a completely different opponent in New Zealand.
“Adding to that, all these players, with the exception of Nicolaas, were members of our training squad in Pretoria in July and our alignment camps earlier in the year, and they’ve have been regular members of the squad in the last few years, so they understand our systems and should slot in with ease.
“Nicolaas has had a good season with Montpellier and is a capped Springbok, so we are excited to welcome him back into the fold.”
Can the All Blacks win the Rugby Championship
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