England will be No Push Overs “Rassie Erasmus”

Rassie Erasmus, the mastermind behind South Africa’s 2019 World Cup victory, has dismissed the chatter about England being a weak team. Despite the talk, Erasmus pointed out that England has a flawless record in this tournament, winning all their matches. However, he also noted that England’s victories came against relatively easier opponents, and they haven’t displayed exceptional performances so far.

In contrast, Erasmus and head coach Jacques Nienaber’s Springboks faced a more challenging pool, losing narrowly to Ireland but eventually claiming the top spot in the world rankings. Their thrilling 29-28 victory over France in the quarter-final has solidified their position as favorites for the upcoming semi-final clash.

Erasmus emphasized that the perception of England being weak, fueled by external opinions, doesn’t affect their team’s approach. He acknowledged the quality of English players, many of whom compete in the Premiership, and praised coach Steve Borthwick’s expertise. Erasmus anticipates a tough test against a team that has not suffered any defeats and has a similar track record in terms of tries and points scored.

Analyzing the statistics, Erasmus highlighted the closeness of the upcoming game. He acknowledged that while stats don’t always reveal the complete picture, they indicate a closely contested match. Looking back at the quarter-finals, where an unusually high number of tries were scored, Erasmus expects a return to traditional, hard-fought rugby in the semi-finals. He anticipates a focus on defense, scrums, mauls, and tactical kicking, emphasizing the fundamental aspects of the game as they approach the final, especially if South Africa advances past England.

Source: SaRugbyMag