Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus said his team’s unexpected defeat by Australia in a Castle Lager Rugby Championship match at Ellis Park was “really awful” and admitted he was embarrassed to appear at the post-match press conference.
The Springboks were left stunned after the Wallabies staged a comeback to secure a 38-22 victory at Ellis Park on Saturday.
Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick and captain Siya Kolisi said their Castle Lager Rugby Championship opener against the Wallabies at Ellis Park on Saturday would be their toughest Test so far this season, but they were confident the team were at the level they needed to be going into the encounter.
Springbok prop Boan Venter will provide front-row cover off the bench in Saturday’s Castle Lager Rugby Championship opener against Australia after coach Rassie Erasmus was forced to make a late change to his team following the withdrawal of Jan-Hendrik Wessels.
SA Rugby and Vodacom have expanded their partnership, which dates back to 1995, with a historic new sponsorship deal as the first and exclusive official telecommunications partner to all the national teams and competitions.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus named a strong team for the side’s opening Castle Lager Rugby Championship match against Australia at Ellis Park on Saturday, with the matchday squad featuring 18 Rugby World Cup winners and only one player who made his Test debut during the Castle Lager Incoming Series.
The Springboks wrapped up their two-week conditioning camp in Johannesburg where they continued to put in the hard yards for the Castle Lager Rugby Championship, and the excitement among the three Junior Springbok World Rugby U20 Championship winners was etched on their faces after what they described as an opportunity of a lifetime.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus said the team were gearing up for a testing Castle Lager Rugby Championship campaign, which kicks off against the Wallabies on Saturday 16 August in Johannesburg, and stressed the importance of their two-week training camp saying it was vital in ensuring that the coaches, players, and entire management team were aligned and prepared for the competition.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus selected a strong 37-man squad for the first two Tests in the Castle Lager Rugby Championship against Australia, featuring 24 Rugby World Cup-winners and five players who made their Test debuts during their successful Castle Lager Incoming Series.
Mr Mark Alexander, President of SA Rugby, paid tribute to former Springbok captain and flanker Des van Jaarsveldt, who passed away earlier on Monday at the age of 96.