Rassie Erasmus wary of France’s South African connection

Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus has admitted that the influence of France’s coaches with a South African connection could be felt in Marseille.

With Vlok Cilliers involved as kicking coach and Shaun Edwards directing the defence Rassie Erasmus knows his team faces a big test.

Rassie Erasmus says France will kick well

Erasmus noted the South African connection but wouldn’t be pressed on how the Springboks would counter.

“They kick the most and they definitely won the Six Nations on the back of that kicking,” Rassie Erasmus said according to News24.

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“Vlok is just their kicking technique coach, so I’m not sure if he’s doing their kicking or it’s Shaun Edwards, but Vlok is an excellent kicking coach.

“I’m not sure if he changes their technique, but I’m pretty he makes them do repetitions like Mzwandile does and Felix also does in other areas.

“They really do have an excellent kicking game and we will have to handle that. We’ve got our plans, but it’s always hard planning against a team that has a very good kicking game.

“You can see by their results and where they are in the rankings.”

Springboks kicking issues

Despite their issues last week, the Springboks will be allowed to continue to make kicking calls on the park.

Rassie Erasmus believes it is important to show faith in their kickers.

“Sometimes, when Morne Steyn plays, Chris Smith does the goalkicking. I’ve seen many times where Elton Jantjies was playing at the Lions and someone else did the goalkicking,” Erasmus said.

“There could be many things. There could be a dip, a difference in kicking style, but we don’t go into a game saying if a person doesn’t kick well, we take them off.

“It’s a considered and measured thing where the guys agree when the changes happen on the field. As coaches, we don’t make those kinds of decisions.

“There’s confidence, rhythm or a niggle, but we don’t tell a guy that they’re kicking badly and they’re not going to kick in a particular game.

“It’s more of adults working together and hopefully on Monday when Cheslin slots five out of five, we’ll all be happy and say it was a good decision.”