Rassie Erasmus Springboks

SA Rugby Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus will celebrate turning the big 5-0 in Dublin on Saturday. Congrats! Photo: CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP

ICYMI: Rassie hits back after claims of South African ‘cowardice’

Rassie Erasmus has laughed off the suggestion that the Springboks should expect to comfortably defeat the struggling All Blacks.

Rassie Erasmus Springboks

SA Rugby Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus will celebrate turning the big 5-0 in Dublin on Saturday. Congrats! Photo: CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP

The Boks are soon set to face the All Blacks in a blockbuster double-header at the start of the Rugby Championship, with New Zealand coming off the back of a humbling series defeat against Ireland. It’s led to yet a suggestion from Kiwi scribe Ben Smith – who has written several provocative articles in the past – that South African fans should no longer cower at the prospect of facing the All Blacks.

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Just last week, Smith suggested that the under-fire All Blacks needn’t worry about the world champs troubling them as much as the Irish did.

“The Boks cannot run anything like Ireland can, so the reads will be easier and the defence will not need to improve to see better results. It will be direct, physical, unimaginative stuff that the All Blacks will just have to man up for,” he wrote.

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Meanwhile, in a recent post to social media, Smith also asked the following question: “Why are South African fans cowering at the prospect of the Boks sweeping NZ 2-0? This is the worst AB side in 25 years statistically speaking. Not a soul in NZ rates them. This is gift wrapped for you, two tests at home. Cowardice preamble for the ‘world champs’ and all that.”

Rassie Erasmus, who has mastered the art of using Twitter to his advantage, responded with a timely reminder of just why the All Blacks will never be written off by the Boks. The post from the South African director of rugby also included a video clip of what he said during the World Rugby awards after the World Cup in 2019.

“I think the answer to that loaded question is actually very easy!! NZ has the players, coaches, supporters and ability to turn things quickly around! And they always do!! Respect!”

Rassie is still closely involved with the Boks despite stepping back into a director of rugby role

Erasmus was able to resume most Springbok job-related activities from mid-January, but will only be able to be involved on match-days from October onwards.

Earlier this year, he completed the first part of the suspension that prevented his involvement from all rugby activity after his infamous 62-minute video in which he criticised the governing body’s match officials – in particular Australian referee Nic Berry – after the first British & Irish Lions series Test in July 2021.

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Erasmus – under the handle of Rassie Rugby – took to Twitter to share how much he misses the first-hand experience of the national anthem and the overall matchday experience, although he is able to be part of the Boks’ planning and preparation both before and after Test matches.

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