Despite a disappointing loss to Australia in Johannesburg, Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus insists the team will not abandon the attacking game plan they’ve been developing under new attack coach Tony Brown.
The predicted wet weather in Cape Town ahead of the Castle Lager Rugby Championship clash on Saturday could see the Springboks adopt a slightly more conservative approach, but Erasmus is adamant that the core strategy will remain intact.
“When you look at that first 20 minutes, it might have been the best rugby we have ever played as a team,” said experienced centre Damian de Allende, reflecting on the match.
While the Wallabies capitalised on Bok errors—scoring from long-range turnovers—Erasmus has no intention of reverting to a purely defensive style. He believes the team’s long-term goal for the 2027 Rugby World Cup depends on continuing to refine their attacking play.
“We have worked for two or three years to get this attacking structure in place. One defeat won’t change that,” Erasmus explained.
Why the Springboks Lost in Johannesburg
Erasmus acknowledged that the team “ran themselves off their feet” after getting overexcited by their early dominance. With only 18 kicks in the match—most in the first half—the Boks were tempted by the open space, overplaying their hand and leaving themselves vulnerable to counter-attacks.
“The Aussies stayed fresh, and we chased our own tails. We overplayed, and by the time we realised it, it was too late,” Erasmus admitted.
Clarity for the Cape Town Clash
De Allende believes last week’s defeat could prove beneficial, serving as a timely wake-up call.
“In this team environment, everyone knows what went wrong and what needs to be fixed. That’s a big positive,” said De Allende.
With clearer alignment between attack and defence strategies, the Springboks are confident they can rectify their mistakes in front of a home crowd at DHL Stadium.
Focus Remains on the Big Picture
Erasmus reiterated that one setback will not derail their broader vision.
“We believe in what we’re doing. We’ve made too much progress to abandon it now,” he said.
The Springboks will now aim to blend attacking flair with tactical discipline when they face the Wallabies in Cape Town, determined to level the Rugby Championship ledger.
Super Sport
