Erasmus didn't hide his frustration after last week's 33-16 loss to the All Blacks, which not only overshadowed De Allende's centurion celebration but also saw South Africa dethroned as the world’s top-ranked team. From Cape Town Stadium, Erasmus highlighted the dual importance of bouncing back and celebrating Du Toit and Nché appropriately.
"I’ve been involved with this team as a coach for the past nine to ten years now and I can tell you they are both humble guys, just like Damian de Allende," the Bok chief said. "They both deserve it 100% to reach these milestones."
Pieter-Steph du Toit, known for his down-to-earth personality and preference for life on the farm over any other place, has gained respect from even rival fans and players. Erasmus's strategy moving forward involves rectifying past mistakes and prepping against New Zealand's strengths.
Erasmus openly shared his emotional response to the previous match's outcome, emphasizing the need for focus and correction rather than dwelling on the past.
"I can sit here and scold and curse and shout, because that’s how I feel in my heart [about last week’s loss]. I’m not happy at all as I sit here, but it doesn’t help to be angry. We [as coaches and players] are angry with each other. We did stupid things."
All eyes will be on Cape Town this weekend as the Springboks aim to redeem themselves and properly celebrate the significant achievements of their teammates. The focus is clear—honor the milestones with a performance that lives up to the occasion.
While the Boks prepare for a challenging match, Erasmus remains confident in his players, reasserting his pride in both Du Toit and Nché. He is determined to prevent the previous letdown from repeating, setting a tone of resilience and determination within the team.
As the rugby world watches, this weekend offers not just another test match but a chance for the Springboks to set things right amidst the highs and lows of international rugby competition.
