Following the Springboks’ impressive 43-28 victory over the All Blacks in Baltimore, coach Rassie Erasmus showcased his usual grace, analytical insight, and unwavering focus on teamwork.
While celebrating the achievement of winning the inaugural Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry three-one, Erasmus chose to downplay any assertions of South African dominance.
Erasmus firmly dismissed the notion that the Springboks have established a significant lead over New Zealand.
In the post-match press conference, he remarked: “No, I won’t say we were the better team.
“At minute 60, I thought it was still in the balance.
“We appreciate that we won, but we definitely don’t think the gap between us and New Zealand is this big.”
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He highlighted that, up until the last 11 minutes of the match, the outcome was uncertain, attributing victory to context and execution rather than a clear superiority.
True to his leadership philosophy, Erasmus dedicated the series win to the people of South Africa.
He acknowledged that while performing in front of a record-breaking audience of over 68,000 in the USA was exhilarating, the primary motivation for the team lies with those supporting them from home.
“We appreciate the people who were here, but we don’t forget the ones back home; the farmers, the boys in the townships, and those in the shopping malls.
“That’s what drives us. There’s only one reason for us as a team and as a country, and that’s for South Africa.”
Erasmus expressed deep satisfaction with the effectiveness of his criticized strategy of frequent squad rotation.
He pointed out that blending seasoned veterans, with an average starting age of 31, alongside up-and-coming talents like impact substitute Cameron Hanekom, enabled the Springboks to endure the rigorous demands of four consecutive Tests against the All Blacks.
He also referenced Kurt-Lee Arendse’s second-half try as a crucial tactical moment that shifted the momentum of the game.
