1
Schalk Brits on why Rassie Erasmus is 'rolling the dice' on the 7-1 split
Schalk Brits has defended Springboks director of rugby Rassie Erasmus use of the 7-1 split in the Rugby World Cup final, as he feels the six-game slog the Boks faced in the lead-in must be mitigated.
ADVERTISEMENT
The former hooker won a World Cup in 2019 with the Boks and is hoping they go back-to-back and beat the All Blacks to secure the title for a second time on the trot.
“He (South Africa director of rugby, Rassie Erasmus) is rolling the dice,” said Brits. “He understands that playing the top six sides in the world was extremely tough on the bodies. There was definitely physical and mental fatigue when we played England.
“He is going all in on a proper South African strategy by dominating from a forward perspective and giving a bit of space for the backs to do what they do best, either kick some goals or make magic in the backline.
“I think this squad is better than we had in 2019. What is different is we can play both styles of the game. When all odds are against us, we grind it out and somehow find a way to win.
How Faf de Klerk and Handre Pollard control the tempo of the game will be vital for South Africa given they are going for a 7-1 split, argues Brits.
“Definitely now it [key performers] is our 9-10 combination. There’s only one combination in the team. They need to make sure that they save our pack, that we don’t over-run or over-exhaust our resources. We call it, ‘make sure that the energy flow in the team is great’.
ADVERTISEMENT
“The biggest thing with the 7:1 split is that we do need a bit of luck. One or two injuries, even on a 6:2 split can ruin the day.
“Everyone wants to wear the number one (starting) shirt but if the focus is not about entitlement then it’s not about me wearing that shirt but the best player for that specific role in that specific game who will be best equipped to do the best for the team. He (Erasmus) did sell it to the team that this is his best strategy.
“At times he (Erasmus) has got it wrong he has put his hands up and said ‘listen, I made a mistake and I’ll take ownership for that loss’. The players then trust in him, then you want to win for that guy.
“Most rugby players, most sports people are really competitive but unfortunately egos get in the way because it’s all about me, me, me. But the big thing we spoke about when we got together in 2018 was all about entitlement. First of all, we said we had to have faith in the coaches. Second that the decisions will be based on what is best for the team and not the individual. If you have got that sort of outlook, it’s quite easy then to move forward.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Rassie (Erasmus) is superb in managing first the expectations, focusing on what is important. Yes it’s important to win a rugby match, win a World Cup but the biggest focus we had was on issues we had back home. We couldn’t be disappointed about missed tackles or being tired because there was 60 million South Africans that didn’t have food, didn’t power, didn’t have water. We didn’t have the luxury to sit and feel sorry for ourselves.
“Get your arse off the ground, go tackle and run and add value to the team.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Yes, Fiji can win the World Cup! With that belief plus their christian faith🙏 and hard work it is achievable. Great article. Ian Duncan Fiji resident 1981-84
2 Go to commentsInteresting comments about Touch. England’s hosting the Touch World Cup this year and the numbers have exploded since their last World Cup in 2019, something like 70% more teams and 40 nations taking part. And England Touch have made a big thing about how many universities are in their BUCS University Touch Championship as well as Sport England membership. Can only see this growing even more domestically as more people become aware of it
10 Go to comments“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
2 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
2 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
38 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
2 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
5 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
34 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to comments