'I think Eben will also be very unhappy if he heard what you say'

Rassie Erasmus was quick to underline the impact of his bench after South Africa’s 30-22 win over Australia but joked that talk of using Eben Etzebeth as a replacement would not go down well with the Springbok enforcer himself.

The Springboks led 20-7 late in the first half after tries from Canan Moodie and Kwagga Smith, but Australia again refused to fold.

Max Jorgensen pounced on a loose ball to score early in the second half before Brandon Paenga-Amosa’s 68th-minute maul try closed the gap to a single point. James O’Connor’s missed conversion kept South Africa in front, and when the fly-half pushed two further penalties wide in the closing stages, the Springboks clung on for a hard-fought victory.

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Given the impact of Etzebeth, Rassie was asked about potentially using him off the bench going forward.

“Yeah, it’s a difficult one to call because what he brings in lineout and the pressure he puts on the opposition nine when he’s box kicking, you kind of lose that a little bit when he’s on the field,” Erasmus said. “Because Eben is probably one of the fittest guys in the team and he can go really long at the same pace, where maybe he can’t do it as deep into the game.

“So, you know, and I think Eben will also be very unhappy if he heard what you say now – that we’ve got to play him off the bench.”

Etzebeth’s presence was one of several influential cameos. Erasmus praised his forward reinforcements for adding composure as much as force.

“I think Ruan did well. I think Lood did well when he came on. I thought Kwagga, apart from giving one or two penalties away, was really energetic. And Marco, as always, is up there. It’s a pity, you know, with Hendrik back for the next game it’s going to be an interesting team selection. So we’ll see how that balance of the bench will work out. But yeah, I think those guys definitely brought what we wanted – maybe not just force in everything, but maybe some calm, well-timed hits as well.”

With a 36-man squad set to be named for the trip to New Zealand, Erasmus admitted fitness checks could complicate his plans.

“We’ll be announcing a 36-man squad tomorrow evening. A few guys must do scans. We started with 46 in camp and only 32 trained yesterday. Luckily we had the numbers.”

Selection headaches are nothing new for the Boks, but after Etzebeth’s impact and the collective lift off the bench, Erasmus faces a particularly intriguing balancing act.

“Hopefully Sunday evening or Monday morning we can confirm the 36.”