Rassie Erasmus backs Springboks after All Blacks loss

Rassie Erasmus has dismissed the idea that South Africa’s defeat by New Zealand represents a crisis, instead pointing to a clear route back into the contest. The Springboks will meet the All Blacks again in Cape Town next weekend, with the coach saying his team must respond by winning to rebuild its confidence.

The loss ended South Africa’s run of 13 consecutive victories and came in the opening match of a four-test Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour. New Zealand now holds the world No. 1 ranking. A South African win in the second test would bring the series level, although three more successive victories would then be needed to complete the recovery.

Erasmus said the Springboks were comprehensively beaten by a side that executed its plan better. New Zealand repeatedly won possession during tackles, using a different approach from the low tackles South Africa had prepared for in training. The All Blacks had previously relied more on forceful or hooked tackles, but their ball-winning work created a decisive advantage.

The South African coach also ruled out a slippery ball as an explanation for the handling errors. He credited New Zealand’s defensive work for many of those losses and accepted that the tactic was clever while remaining within the laws. South Africa now faces an immediate test of its response in Cape Town.