South Africa’s Springboks Rugby Team won against Japan in a score that ranges to a 61- 7 demolition at Wembley Stadium this week Saturday. Springboks Rugby Coach Rassie Erasmus lauded the intensity by the team but warned next weekend’s Autumn International Series clash with France will be a further step up. The Springboks ran in nine tries as they led 26-0 at half time in difficult wet conditions, which made the margin of victory all the more impressive.
The only downside was a first half injury to prop Ox Nche that will see him miss the remainder of the tour, which also includes fixtures against Italy, Ireland and Wales. “For me, it was about how the players approached the game, the respect they showed and the physicality they brought,” Erasmus told reporters. “Everything wasn’t perfect, but I’m pleased with the intensity.” South Africa beat France 29-28 in an epic 2023 Rugby World Cup clash in Paris two years ago, and Erasmus knows that will have their opponents fired up for revenge. “We know what it’s like playing France away, it’s a real pressure cooker. Most of the guys have experienced that atmosphere before. We’ll need to be really intelligent and physical this week to be ready,” he said.
“We’ve got depth and experience, but it’s a totally different ball game going there. We’re building, but we have to keep reminding one another that the bar keeps rising.”
Rugby is a brutal sport. Injuries are not uncommon. In the rough world of the Rugby pitch, you have to be on high alert. There is no room for prisoners. Competitiveness in rugby requires you to get the ball to the goal post at the other end before the opposing team tackles you to the ground for the ball. Going up against the Italians, Irish and the Welsh teams will be a breeze for the Springboks. Although as far as the opposing teams are concerned unpleasantness awaits. Rugby is as unpredictable as any other sport so any attempt at perfection will be hard to come by. The teams the Springboks are facing are tough but South African Rugby is still a force to be reckoned with on the pitch.
Even the French will be difficult but not impossible to beat if South Africa plays its cards right.
The depth and experience the Springboks gained will lead the team to victory over their opponents. The bar may rise in terms of how challenging the opposing teams become but the Springboks will rise to the challenge. However even the Welsh are nervous about moving against the Springboks. Even so, every match will demand focus and discipline.
Former Welsh international Richie Rees believes that Wales’ clash with South Africa at the end of this month “isn’t worth playing” with a dozen players set to be unavailable to head coach Steve Tandy. The match at the Principality Stadium on November 29 falls outside of World Rugby’s international window, meaning players who ply their trade outside of Wales will not be released by their club for the final fixture of the autumn campaign. “I just think you have to weigh up the pros and cons,” he said during an appearance on Scrum V. “For me, that South Africa game isn’t worth playing. We’re missing that many players against the best team in the world.
“For those that they bring in, the regions are playing at the same time and those who are playing outside of Wales, we lose. So are we setting those players up to succeed, or not? Is it affecting the rest of the game?
So now the Springboks are putting pressure on the Welsh Rugby team and management, and this match – like others on the schedule – looks promising for South Africa. This match and possibly the other matches will be a breeze for the Springboks. The Springboks will sprint their way to glory. Rugby is a sport where the tough who are rough can thrive. For the Welsh rugby Club to recruit other plays whether from inside or outside their region will not be a task that will prove easy in the least. The best opportunity for Welsh Rugby players to at least compete against the Springboks is to train their best players to breaking point to give them a fighting chance. This will at least give them an opportunity to survive.
Going up against the Springboks is a formidable challenge but to forfeit would be worse. Recovery from the humiliation would not succeed. Overcoming challenges and obstacles is part of professional sports. Winning however is unpredictable at this crucial point. The Welsh had best figure out a good plan to stay in the game while the Springboks should not underestimate their opponents.
Article written by:
Yacoob Cassim
Journalist at Radio Al Ansaar
