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'Sad': Rassie Eramsus addresses Boks' second red card in two weekends
By Ian Cameron
Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus cut a conflicted figure after South Africa’s gritty 32–14 win over Italy in Turin, praising his side’s adaptability while laying bare his frustration over another week dominated by card decisions and head-contact flashpoints.
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The Springboks finished with 14 men after Franco Mostert’s red card, just days after Siya Kolisi’s milestone 100th Test was also marred after he was subbed following Lood de Jager’s red card dismissal against France.
Erasmus didn’t lash out at the refereeing, but admitted he was sad for the knock-on effect it had on skipper Siya Kolisi and Ben-Jason Dixon.
“It is what it is. What I say can’t make a difference. I’m just grateful that we had Ben O’Keeffe on the one side and an experienced referee (in James Doleman).
“I’m not saying it in a negative way. What I can say is that it’s sad that our captain, who had to make that sacrifice in his 100th game and in this game.”
Erasmus said tackle zone officiating was leaving his tallest players struggling to stay compliant.
“I always thought we wanted to get to 20-minute red cards, and we have to re-check on that, but it’s not my place to talk about it. However, for a captain to twice in a week to suffer for us to win is sad.
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“I’m not saying the calls were wrong, but I definitely saw a lot of other shots in the game. By that I’m not criticising, that is life, and once we review the game, we may come to a different conclusion and see that we were totally wrong, and then we have to rectify it.
“We got a red card, and they got a yellow card, which I probably thought was the right call, but losing two locks in two games now for going lower than they can go, it’s tough to understand.
“Again, I’m not saying anyone is wrong, but we don’t know how to coach guys to go lower, especially for a two-meter-tall guy to face someone who is on his knees is tough. And then to play with 13 men, and them with 14 for a while, it was tougher than last week.”
Despite the circumstances, South Africa’s defence and control down the stretch secured a third straight win on tour. Erasmus, though, said it was impossible to separate the satisfaction of the result from the emotional toll on those copping the sanctions.
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“Yes, we have a way to adapt, but it’s unfair on individuals like Siya and Ben-Jason (Dixon), who received a chance for the first time in a long time,” said Erasmus.
“Everyone, even the players not playing, were making plans, but we are a very proud team in the way we level change and avoid head contact, and we’ve received so many red cards. Makazole Mapimpi and Jasper Wiese both got six-week (suspensions), and we are really trying hard.”
