Rassie Erasmus issues warning for surging Springboks ahead of All Blacks rematch

PERTH – South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus believes that the All Blacks will be a “step up” in competition, after the Springboks swept past Australia to kick-start their Rugby Championship campaign in style.

The four-time and current world champions showed their strength when they scored the game’s only four tries in their 30-12 victory in front of 58,197 fans at Perth’s Optus Stadium on Aug 17.

Erasmus made 10 changes after a 33-7 triumph on Aug 10 in Brisbane, but their depth of talent and firepower off the bench crushed a gritty Wallabies in wet conditions.

“We have always struggled against Australia,” said the coach, as South Africa won four straight matches against Australia for the first time since their readmission to international rugby in 1992.

“So we are always pleased with a win, and to get two bonus-point wins over here and the fact that all 33 players on tour played was fantastic.

“There were a few more tries that we could have scored, so it could have been a bigger winning margin. But we are pleased with earning five points two weeks in a row.”

Heavy rain lashed the ground as several players were forced off with head injuries amid a ferocious contest.

Australia suffered the brunt of the casualties, but the Springboks did lose stand-in captain Salmaan Moerat early in the game after he copped a knee to his head.

“(Moerat) will go through (concussion) protocols... we do have a week off, so I don’t foresee him missing the next game,” Erasmus added.

South Africa will next host two Tests against a rejuvenated All Blacks, starting with a clash in Johannesburg on Aug 31.

It will be the first time the powerhouses meet since the tense 2023 World Cup final where Erasmus’ side retained their title with a 12-11 victory.

After a shock loss to Argentina in Wellington on Aug 10, New Zealand exacted revenge and returned to form on Aug 17 with a 42-10 thumping win at their Eden Park fortress.

“We saw how New Zealand turned things around after last week’s result, so we know the challenge that awaits us... it will certainly require another step up,” warned Erasmus.

“With all due respect to Australia, they are in a rebuilding phase and (new coach) Joe Schmidt is also still finding his feet, so the next two Tests will be tougher.

“We are facing them at altitude in Johannesburg and then in Cape Town where they enjoy playing.

“So we are excited about what will be almost a mini-series against them.”

Meanwhile, Schmidt is bracing himself for another major challenge when he takes the Wallabies to Argentina later in August after suffering back-to-back defeats against South Africa.

“One of the things about this competition is it’s not going to get any easier,” said the Australia coach.

“It doesn’t get easier going to Argentina next.

“They’ve demonstrated how tough they can be to beat when they toppled the All Blacks and didn’t even give them a bonus point.

“They won’t be taking it easy on us, and we’ll try to make it difficult for them.”

Schmidt has had a mixed start to his tenure with the Wallabies, but Erasmus has backed the New Zealander to lead Australia into the high-profile Test series against the British and Irish Lions in 2025.

“You (have to) get the right people on board, which I think Joe is, and you get the right players on board,” the South African said.

“I do think they’ll be competitive with Joe Schmidt as their coach.”

“Schmidt is new in the role and he has to find his feet and get to know all the players and how Australian rugby works.

“It takes some time.” AFP, REUTERS