Frustrated Rassie Erasmus Reevaluates Springbok Plans After Shaky Italy Win
Frustrated Rassie Erasmus Reevaluates Springbok Plans After Shaky Italy Win
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus may rethink his second Test selection after a frustrating 42-24 win over Italy despite leading 28-3 at halftime.
South Africa Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus admitted he may abandon his pre-planned rotation strategy for the second Castle Lager Tour Test in Gqeberha next week after a stuttering 42-24 win over Italy on Saturday.
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Despite racking up six tries and holding a commanding 28-3 lead at halftime, the Boks failed to build on their dominance, allowing a young and spirited Italian side to finish the stronger in a frustrating second half for the hosts.
“I guess it’s a positive that we scored six tries, but we’re frustrated,” Erasmus said. “I didn’t pick up during the week that this was the way we were going to perform. It’s all fixable – but it’s definitely frustrating.”
Erasmus had announced internally that as many as 13 or 14 players would be rotated into the second Test lineup as part of his tour strategy. However, Saturday’s disjointed showing may have changed that.
“We won’t discard those guys, but some of them might move to the bench,” Erasmus explained. “Some of the real standout players who played today might start again. The make-up of the team may change to handle the physicality that Italy threw at us.”
South Africa appeared to have sealed the contest early in the second half with a fifth try, but the visitors rallied, forcing Erasmus to rethink the balance and endurance of his matchday 23.
“You’d think a team that made 120 tackles in the first half would break,” said Erasmus. “But it’s a team that’s fit and passionate. We have to make sure next week’s team isn’t one that just goes 50 or 60 minutes – it must go 80.”
Italy, who were expected to fade under the Springbok pressure, instead grew into the match and managed three tries of their own in a combative display across all phases of play.
“We knew they would man up, and they certainly did,” Erasmus said. “Scrums, mauling, defence, attack – it was a proper Test match. When we were 28-3 up and had that try disallowed for obstruction, I thought we might have them. But we lost momentum.”
The Bok coach admitted frustration not just with execution but also with the rhythm of the match.
“It was stop-start, stop-start – it felt like we didn’t get any intensity in the second half,” he said. “Even with a malfunctioning maul, a below-par breakdown, and a counterattack that wasn’t great, we still scored six tries. That’s a positive.”
Injuries were minimal, with only centre Damian De Allende nursing a slight hamstring strain. Erasmus said selection for the second Test would be determined in the coming days.
“We have to pick nine guys to go with the others, and we have to decide whether they start or come off the bench,” he said. “We’ve got no serious injuries – just a few bruised egos.”
The second and final Test against Italy kicks off on Saturday at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
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