Rassie Erasmus has ramped up the mind games ahead of South Africa’s quarter-final clash with France, as the Springboks decided to delay naming their team.
The defending champions take on hosts France in a heavyweight tussle on Sunday, having finished as runners-up in Pool B behind Ireland, as they look to become just the second team ever to win back-to-back Rugby World Cups.
The talk ahead of that pool-stage match with Ireland was South Africa naming seven forwards on the bench, but their ‘Bomb Squad’ were unable to overwhelm Andy Farrell’s side in the second half.
It remains to be seen whether the Springboks opt for a more balanced approach with their replacements this time, with director of Erasmus keen to seee the French squad before making a final decision. South Africa will now name their team on Friday.
“We have been mixing and matching for the last year and making sure that in almost every position we have someone just as good. In some cases we are not even sure who is the best,” Erasmus said.
“We are keeping our options open for a 7-1, 6-2 or 5-3 (bench split) with both Handre and Manie being available. I think having everybody fit and seeing what the French team looks like may influence us going 7-1 or 6-2.”
Erasmus has in the past got himself banned for publicly criticising officials, releasing an almost hour-long rant aimed at Nic Berry and his assistants after South Africa’s defeat to the Lions in the first Test back in 2021.
Ahead of this weekend’s match at the Stade de France, Erasmus insisted the South African players must “respect” the officials, though still put some pressure on as he claimed France “simulate” in order to get decisions.
“What they do well is that when they get close to the high hits, they really show that to the referee,” Erasmus said.
“They do simulate sometimes a little bit which is clever and obviously works. I think they’re very clear at that, very good at that.”
