The Springboks won the last two World Cups in 2019 and 2023, thanks largely to their squad depth.
This year’s performances have been disappointing, and their 24-17 loss in Auckland came with many mistakes that cost them the game.
For the next match against the All Blacks in Wellington, Erasmus has made seven changes in players and two positional switches.
He explained that these changes are not just a reaction to the poor performance, but also part of his long-term plan.
Erasmus said on Monday, “It would have been perfect if we had won last weekend and still made our planned changes. Not many players get the chance to play against New Zealand away. After this game, the next chance will only come after the 2027 World Cup. So, the plan was to win and also give some players experience against the world’s number one team.”
He admitted the team’s performance was poor but added that the blame was not only on the players.
“We know that many players didn’t perform well, and many coaches, including me, didn’t do their best last week. One positive was how the game finished. The players who came off the bench showed energy and determination.
After 15 minutes, we were 14–0 down, but they only added 10 more points after that.
We still lost, which is the bottom line, but the impact from the bench made me consider giving opportunities to energetic players who haven’t played here before.
Our main goal is to build squad depth. This means introducing young players alongside senior players, letting them play in different positions and venues, and seeing how they handle pressure.
A key return is number eight, Jasper Wiese, who has finished his suspension from a red card he received against Italy in July.
Having Jasper back is a big boost. He might not play the full 80 minutes, but it’s great to have him available. He has always been one of our top players, and we’ll need him for a tough test match like this.”
Who is Erasmus?
Rassie Erasmus is the head coach of the South African national rugby team, the Springboks.
What is Erasmus’ main goal for the team?
His main goal is to build squad depth by giving opportunities to both young and senior players.
Why is building squad depth important?
It ensures the team has strong options across all positions and can perform well under pressure in different venues.
How does Erasmus plan to develop young players?
By introducing them alongside experienced players, allowing them to play in various positions, and testing them in high-pressure situations.
