Erasmus lauds Bok character after second win in Australia

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus lauded the players for stepping up under challenging circumstances in their second Castle Lager Rugby Championship Test against the Wallabies to claim their second bonus-point win in as many weeks in Perth on Saturday.

Traditionally, the Boks’ record in Australia is not great, but the 30-12 victory at Optus Stadium was South Africa’s third on the bounce Down Under, dating back to the 24-8 win in Sydney two years ago.

Erasmus copped some flak for making 10 changes to his starting team for the clash, and over and above that, severe weather warnings threatened to disrupt the game, yet the Boks rose to the challenge to score four tries without reply by the Wallabies.

“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,” said Erasmus.

“The weather was challenging, we lost our captain [Salmaan Moerat] early on with concussion, and we made 10 changes to the starting team, but that didn’t disrupt the team, so overall it was a pleasing result.

“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.

“We would have just been happy with victories, so it was very rewarding, although it was not beautiful rugby out there because of the conditions.”

Eben Etzebeth, who stepped in as captain after Moerat was forced to leave the field due to concussion, was equally delighted with the win: “It was a good start to the Castle Lager Rugby Championship for us to get the two bonus-point wins, but we know facing the All Blacks next will be massive.

“It took a big squad effort in the last two weeks, and everyone deserved their chance (to play). The guys who started laid a good foundation for the replacements and it was great to see them perform at this level. It shows the depth we have in this squad.”

Looking ahead at their next challenge against New Zealand, Erasmus expected a huge onslaught from the All Blacks, who registered a 42-10 victory against Argentina earlier on Saturday after the Pumas recorded a shock-win in Wellington a week ago.

“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,” said Erasmus.

“With all due respect to Australia, they are in a rebuilding phase and 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.”

Erasmus also expressed his gratitude to the passionate Springbok supporters in Australia in the last two weeks, saying: “We’d like to thank the supporters both in Brisbane and Perth. The support at training during the games was fantastic and we are pleased that we could thank them with these results.”