Erasmus sanctions won't halt Springboks' march from good to great
The heavy sanctions handed down by World Rugby to Springbok Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus seems quite harsh to me.
The governing body is obviously sending out a message that what Erasmus did is not going to be tolerated. Had they let Erasmus get away with a slap on the wrists, they would perhaps have opened themselves up to something similar happening again. By World Rugby setting quite a harsh precedent upfront, I feel the rest of the world out there will stand up and take notice.
I don’t think World Rugby is wrong in terms of the outcome of the case, but it took a very long time to reach a decision. The timing of the verdict’s release wasn’t ideal for anybody and the truth of the matter is that it detracted from what was an important contest between England and South Africa.
SA Rugby will exercise their rights to appeal the sanctions brought against them and Erasmus. There is no doubt that the appeal process will take another age. World Rugby took four months to bring forward the sanctions because it didn’t want to mess it up as it was such a sensitive subject. Having a World Cup-winning coach/Director of Rugby pulled in front of a disciplinary panel was a first of its kind, having not happened before in the past.
I think the Erasmus ruling sets a precedent; otherwise it can become a free-for-all. Dave Rennie came out on the weekend and was furious with referee Mike Adamson and the match officials regarding some decisions that went against Australia. If we dial it back, rugby is all about respecting officials and the game. But there’s a fine line and you can understand why directors of rugby, coaches and people involved at the highest level get frustrated.
In light of the Erasmus ban, Rennie will likely be hauled in front of a disciplinary panel for his tirade.
I’m no legal expert, but I would like to believe that some good will come of the appeal from a South African perspective. However, on the other hand World Rugby might well dig their heels in and say, “The punishment has to fit the crime.”
If they are steadfast in their belief that the crime justified the punishment, Erasmus will have to see out the full match day ban which runs until 30 September 2022. I’m of the view that Rassie will continue to impact the Springbok squad as much as he can – with the appeal process unfolding – but much will be about planning and preparing for next season.
The Springboks ended the 2021 season with an 8-5 win-loss ratio. I believe the Springboks are a better team than their 61.5 percent win record suggests. If you’d asked me offhand what their win ratio was, I would have said it felt like over 70 percent. It’s down to performance and the fact that every time the Boks take to the field there is a belief that they can win.
Despite what the detractors say, for me, it’s a very good Springbok team that is bordering on a great one. There has been consistency in selection and some outstanding players who have proven themselves at the top level.
The Springboks are deserving of finishing the season as the top-ranked side. However, I don’t think it means much to the players and coaches to be called first in the world. It’s the form you’re displaying at that time and comes down to winning Test matches and series. It’s great to finish the season on top, but I don’t think it’s going to make a difference to the team.
They will be chuffed with what has happened this year under the circumstances they played. The way they fought and matched certain opposition was outstanding. Looking ahead to the 2022 season, I have no doubt that Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber will have their finger on the pulse in terms of how they want to play. They will need to keep up with the trends in terms of how the game is refereed and how best to earn a result.
I’m of the opinion that the Boks need to stick as far as possible to their strengths – namely their set-piece, aerial game, defence and physicality. The men in green and gold must then layer certain aspects of their game such as their attack and counter-attack in order to take them to the next level.
In terms of the top six teams in the world, at the moment anybody can beat anybody. It’s what we want in world rugby instead of one or two teams being so far ahead and seemingly unbeatable. The way the top six teams are performing at present is what we want to see and it’s going to be a mouth-watering prospect heading to the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France if it continues in this vein.
Following an 11-year career with Saracens, which saw him earn 264 caps, Neil de Kock now works in the rugby division at the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport in South Africa. De Kock, who featured in 10 Test matches for the men in green and gold, provides RugbyPass with expert opinion and insight focusing on the southern hemisphere sides and, in particular, the Springboks.
Comments on RugbyPass
I hope WRU cops a 12 month ban.
1 Go to commentsOuch. Pumped. Even Nohamba is a better flyhalf than Ford.
2 Go to commentsI hope Leinster’s proud of themselves fielding a poor team. They should decide if they’re all in or not.
2 Go to commentsJordie is looking at 16 games maximum if Leinster reach both the URC and champions cup finals. Thats not guaranteed. Some of those home URC fixtures will be cakewalks as well for Leinster and there is not much doing during the 6 nations in Feb and March so he can probably get a decent rest then. He will have to really put in it for maybe 7 or 8 games max. It should be a good move for both.
13 Go to commentsThe game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
27 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
13 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
13 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
6 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
26 Go to comments