The Springboks‘ mid-year Test schedule may include a trip to face Argentina next month, but Rassie Erasmus has already begun plotting how to deny New Zealand an early advantage ahead of the Greatest Rivalry series.
The Springbok coach revealed that South Africa will split their squad after the opening block of Nations Championship Tests, with around 26 players travelling to Argentina while another 15 to 17 remain at home to begin preparations for the All Blacks.
The thinking, Erasmus admitted, is driven largely by New Zealand’s own itinerary. The All Blacks will face the Stormers, Sharks and Bulls before the opening match of the Greatest Rivalry on August 22 at Ellis Park, while they are also scheduled to take on the Lions three days later.
“The important thing there is we don’t want to send players to Argentina and New Zealand is nice and calm in South Africa, busy playing against our franchises,” Erasmus said.
“We have to fly back and they’re used to the South African weather and the stadiums and then we have to play them in the first Test match. So, I’m not giving anything away. I’m telling it as it is.”
The split-squad approach will also allow Erasmus to carefully manage players returning from injury, including star flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, captain Siya Kolisi and lock Eben Etzebeth.
However, he stressed there would be no blanket policy on keeping players who form part of the core group left behind in camp, revealing that individuals could instead be released to their franchises if they require valuable game time.
“There might be some guys who’s not ready yet, like Sacha. Sacha might be ready for Argentina, but he also might just not be ready and then a week later he can play.”
Erasmus said the Springboks had already discussed the plan with the franchises and that every decision would be tailored to the player’s individual circumstances.
“We had a meeting with our franchises earlier in the year and we would love to release some of our players, but it will be case by case. Does Sacha need a game?
“Yes, we might release him. It won’t be a blanket thing … we’ll handle it case by case, definitely,” he stressed.
The comments offer a glimpse into the Springboks’ meticulous planning, with Erasmus intent on ensuring the world champions arrive at the All Blacks series fully prepared rather than handing their fiercest rivals any advantage before the opening whistle.
