Former Springbok hooker Schalk Brits expects more innovation from Rassie Erasmus.
In an interview with CoinPoker.com, Brits said the Springbok coach would continue to push boundaries in a bid to evolve his team’s game.
“It feels everyone else is trying to keep up with what Rassie is doing,” he added. “In the past, we would follow Australia and New Zealand’s playing style. Now, it feels like, for once, we are bringing expertise outside of South Africa into the game, and the rest are following us.
“Rassie is playing chess, while others play checkers.”
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Brits says the evolution of Bok rugby has taken place in the context of several structural changes, one of which was South Africa’s move away from Super Rugby.
“I think there are a couple of things we have to be thankful for. When we moved away from Super Rugby … although New Zealand and Australia were quite dominant in that competition, and we had stages of dominance, moving away played a vital part in our growth,” he said.
“Although Super Rugby is very exciting, it doesn’t always prepare you best for Test match rugby. Then, consider that we are now playing in the north and getting used to those conditions.
“We’re playing more in the Champions Cup and the URC. That has prepped us to play a better, more set-piece-orientated game, which is crucial for Test matches and the fine margins involved.”
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Brits, who had a trophy-laden spell with English club Saracens, said he understood the benefits of South African franchises moving north.
“I could not believe the impact of a knock-on or an error in your own half up there,” he said. “Especially if it’s wet and cold and you can’t kick the ball as far, it takes you ages to get out of your own half.
“So, I think the adaptation of moving north – rather than west to east – and the exposure we get during the Champions Cup has actually played perfectly into our hands.”
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However, he warned that Erasmus is a hard task master and that he will keep the Boks at the cutting-edge of the game – and leave no room for resting on laurels.
“The one thing Rassie hates is complacency and entitlement. He will keep fighting against those things that creep in when you are successful.”
Photo: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images
The post ‘Rassie’s playing chess, while others play checkers’ appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.