Rassie Erasmus says the Springboks openly discussed their long Dublin drought as they prepared for Saturday’s crunch showdown against Ireland.
South Africa have not beaten Ireland in Dublin since 2012; meaning conquering the Irish at the Aviva Stadium remains one of this Springbok team’s final unticked boxes.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Erasmus admitted the Springboks’ winless run in Dublin is not ignored inside the camp in the lead-up to Saturday’s Test. The Springbok coach said the topic “definitely comes up,” and also revealed why he believes the fixture carries unique importance for both teams.
BOKS EAGER TO BREAK DUBLIN HOODOO
Erasmus rejected suggestions that the team avoids the subject, saying it forms part of their preparation.
“Oh, it definitely comes up,” he said when asked about the Dublin drought. “I would be lying if I said it does not come up.”
He also spoke openly about the fact that he has never won at the Aviva Stadium in a coaching capacity – neither with Munster nor the Springboks.
“Me personally, I have not won at the Aviva,” he said. “We played finals there with Munster and lost. We played big European games there and lost. So I am part of that record.”
Erasmus added that the challenge of capturing the Aviva Stadium is not emotional but competitive. “It is something we have not done, and we want to try and do it.”
Erasmus said the desire to break the drought remains strong. “It will be great for all of us to say we managed one in Dublin,” he said. “They have had a number in the last few games.”
“If we get it right, then it means our set-up and players achieved something important,” he said.
ERASMUS HAS HIGH PRAISE FOR IRELAND’S SYSTEM
Erasmus again praised Ireland’s structure and explained why the fixture routinely produces tight margins.
“They understand their systems well,” he said. “They know their lines, they know their maul fights, and they do everything within the laws.”
Kick off on Saturday is at 19:40 (SA time).
TEAMS FOR SATURDAY’S TEST
Ireland – 15 Mack Hansen, 14 Tommy O’Brien, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 James Lowe, 10 Sam Prendergast, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Caelan Doris (c), 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Ryan Baird, 5 Tadhg Beirne, 4 James Ryan, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Dan Sheehan, 1 Andrew Porter.
Bench: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Paddy McCarthy, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 Cian Prendergast, 20 Jack Conan, 21 Craig Casey, 22 Jack Crowley, 23 Tom Farrell.
Springboks – 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Cheslin Kolbe, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach,
8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Boan Venter.
Bench: 16 Johan Grobbelaar, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Andre Esterhuizen, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Manie Libbok.
