Rassie Erasmus fires back at All Blacks with explosive scrum response
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Not impressed.
Rassie Erasmus has launched a furious defence of the Springboks’ scrum following their 33-26 victory over the All Blacks in Cape Town.
South Africa bounced back from their opening Test defeat at Ellis Park to level Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series at 1-1, but the scrum controversy that dominated the build-up has continued after the final whistle.
All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie had raised concerns with World Rugby over South Africa’s scrummaging following the first Test, claiming the Springboks were able to “walk around” New Zealand.
Rennie again raised the issue following Saturday’s defeat and revealed he would flag it with World Rugby.
Erasmus was having absolutely none of it.
“We’ve been playing with this pack of guys together for years, and it’s the first time in history that people are talking about us walking around,” Erasmus told reporters.
“So why would we all of a sudden start walking around now?
“The first six scrums in New Zealand’s half, they had every single one collapsed. And it was reset, reset, reset, reset. So why is it only on their ball that the scrums collapse every single time?
“So don’t come with that nonsense and say we’re walking around and try and put things out in the media.”
The Springbok boss then turned his attention to what he viewed as selective criticism.
“If I start putting things out … like their last line-out was skew – but I’m not going to moan my a*** off about that.
“So, if you just want to start moaning about stuff like that, then they’re under pressure.”
Erasmus also raised concerns about head-contact incidents during the match.
“Last week we didn’t moan after there was clear head contact a lot of the time.
“And today, in the first 40 minutes, there were four head contacts, and nothing was done about it, and then Lood de Jager gets the first one.”
Erasmus acknowledged that his response could produce headlines but urged reporters to include the full context of his comments.
“So the moment we start moaning, and if you’re taking a clip of what I said at the end, it’s going to be a sensational headline. But please don’t do it. Put the whole thing where I’m answering it.
“Don’t try and convince the people through the media, because that was what happened in the last week.
“They [All Blacks] tried to convince the people in the media, and we’re not going to take it.”
Erasmus was adamant that South Africa would not simply accept the criticism of their scrummaging.
“So if the referees get caught up by that, then there’s obviously a plan to get that message out. And then we don’t want to stay quiet and just say, ‘Oh, you’re right, we’re walking around’.
“We’re not f–ing walking around. We scrum straight. So, you know, we’ve never, ever, ever been accused of walking around. So I don’t understand.”
South Africa’s victory leaves the four-Test series level at 1-1 ahead of next Saturday’s third Test at FNB Stadium.
