South Africa: Apology. This column has noted that the Springboks have not always been held in high esteem by some in the global rugby union community in recent years. Instead of Rassie Erasmus being portrayed as a spiritual leader and latter-day saint, his bizarre home videos and comments about match officials have received undue attention. There is nothing quite like the comically terrifying-looking photo of Eben Ezebeth, declaring him tougher than Alun Wyn Jones, Martin Johnson and Colin Meads combined. And if, say, Ireland had won a second World Cup in a row, the media coverage that followed might have been a little more respectful. The media has acknowledged these oversights and has pledged to use the words “Rekka” and “Hausit” at the beginning of all works from now on.
Well, you can understand that. It has long been all too tempting to portray South Africa as the pantomime villains of the Test game. The Boks weren’t necessarily known for their beautiful rugby. The last British & Irish Lions series of 2021 drained just about everyone’s spirits, and there are only a handful of references to the hilarious bomb squad that the rest of the world can endure.
And now? Let’s just say the evidence is becoming increasingly incontrovertible. Erasmus and his friends are showing the way forward for the aforementioned global rugby community. Whether their rivals admit it or not, the Springboks threaten to become the most consistent winning machine of the professional era, even if they aren’t there yet. Yes, the All Blacks won back-to-back World Cups in 2011 and 2015, and enjoyed winning the Rugby Championship, but even they are under the weight of the simultaneous silver this Bok team is amassing. I never had anything like it.
Two-time World Cup winner, Rugby Championship winner, Lions Series winner. It’s a very impressive list. South Africa’s latest title, won by defeating Argentina 48-7 in Nelspruit on Saturday, was all the more commendable given the logistical hurdles the players had to overcome. It’s never easy to put together a team that plays club rugby all over the world, with top players being dragged from pillar to goalpost. If they’re not flying to Argentina or South Africa with their national teams, they’re crisscrossing the hemisphere with their domestic franchises, trying to carve a niche for themselves in the United Rugby Championship and Champions Cup.
Somehow, despite all this flying distance, they still manage to get the job done on multiple fronts, driven by a group of senior players with seemingly inexhaustible strength of character. On Saturday, Etzebeth became the most capped player in Springbok history, but there’s still a palpable sparkle in his eyes. Siya Kolisi may not be established at Racing 92, but he is still a huge captain and an inspiration to millions. Peter-Steph du Toit, Jesse Kriel, Cheslin Kolbe, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Kwaga Smith: There are some notable names in this Springbok squad, even before they even get close to the front row.
Erasmus also deserves due praise. Although his role has changed over the years, with Jack Nienaber serving as official head coach at the last World Cup, the former’s influence remains widespread. He also shows little signs of letting up as he looks to add depth to his team in the box. They may have lost narrowly against Argentina last weekend, but Erasmus chose to back Manny Livbok, despite making a crucial late mistake off the tee, and potentially Managed a tricky situation skillfully. Also.
At this point in Ireland, the reference will be to last July’s second Test, which the Boks lost 25-24 after winning the first Test last week. It also remains to be seen which of the two teams will officially end the calendar year as the top-ranked team in the world. But the area where South Africa are proving to truly excel is in winning the games that really matter, and their chances of winning an unprecedented third consecutive World Cup in 2027 are steadily shrinking.
Cheslyn Kolbe is on a roll during the Springboks vs. Pumas game. Photo: Siphiwe Sibeko/Reuters
In addition to the forward stealth and defensive strength that have supported the current Park team, they have also been transplanted to an all-court offensive game. There was always the potential for the influential Tony Brown to have a positive impact as an attacking coach, but there is now serious depth to go along with it. Given that Erasmus has already selected 49 different players this year, plus the number of other talented South Africans plying his trade in Japan, France and England, their overall strength has grown. It summarizes what is happening.
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Perhaps the only ray of hope for their rivals is that one or two of their old warhorses won’t be able to keep fighting forever. Etzebeth, who overtook Victor Matfield with his 128th cap, will soon turn 33, while Damian de Allende will also celebrate his birthday in November. Willy le Roux will be 35, Bongi Mbonambi, France Malherbe and Kolisi will be 34 next year.
Again, you wouldn’t bet on a durable Etzebeth batsman who currently has over 150 caps, but that’s clearly what he’s enjoying playing right now. Ox Nche is probably the most effective prop in the world at the moment, and the amazing Du Toit is going from strength to strength. Damian Willemse will be fit again for the November test and Sacha Feinberg-Mgomezulu looks like a young fly-half with the potential to be around for years. Scotland, England and Wales may find out this autumn that this is no ordinary Springbok team.
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