Erasmus expects ‘nervy’ week for Boks, All Blacks

South Africa last beat the hosts at Eden Park in 1937.

In addition, the All Blacks have not lost at the Auckland venue since 1994. 

Erasmus also shot down suggestions that this was the biggest match for both teams since the 2023 Rugby World Cup Final in France, which the Boks won 12-11, saying it would be a “slap in the face” to the other teams participating in the Rugby Championship.

South Africa and New Zealand will meet at the iconic stadium on Saturday in the third round of the Rugby Championship, and the Bok coach was open about the match being crucial in both teams’ hopes of clinching the title, which the Boks won for the first time since 2019 last season.

“Facing New Zealand away from home is always a challenge, and playing at Eden Park will make both teams equally desperate,” said Erasmus.

“There’s no doubt the players will throw everything out there on Saturday. There is a massive rivalry between the sides, and the history between us is tremendous.”

Erasmus added: “Playing against New Zealand in their backyard, and knowing that according to the world rankings, we are currently the top two teams, is special, and we don’t need more motivation than that.

“It’s going to be a nervy week for both teams.”

Asked about the match-up being the biggest for the teams since the RWC Final, Erasmus said: “It would be a slap in the face to Australia and Argentina for us to say this is the biggest game since then.

“Just as that Final was a must-win game, both teams are in a similar situation this week and next week with an eye on trying to win the Castle Lager Rugby Championship.

“One must also not forget that they got a red card in the World Cup Final, and we were shown two yellow cards.”

The Bok coach shot down the hype surrounding playing at Eden Park: “People are making a big deal of the Eden Park record, and, of course, it adds pressure for both teams. But if one looks back a few weeks ago, we lost against Australia at Ellis Park, and it’s now history. For us, it’s a huge honour to get the chance to play at Eden Park, and it’s a great opportunity for us.”

Commenting on the decision to name his team on Thursday as opposed to Tuesday, Erasmus said there were a few contributing factors to the call.

“It’s a tough match for both sides, and they are a team that analyses thoroughly,” he said.

“Over and above that, we are not sure what team they’ll announce, while we also have a few injured players at home, and one or two who are not available for selection this week, so there’s a bit of an unknown factor for us both. By announcing our team later in the week, we believe it will even things out more.”

The Bok coach also took the opportunity to correct the speculation that scrumhalf Faf de Klerk was called up to the squad as cover for hooker Bongi Mbonambi.

“Faf did not replace Bongi,” he said. “Morne van den Berg suffered a niggle at training, but he trained fully today, so he’s looking good. Faf was called up as a precaution. He is an experienced player and brings a lot to the team.

“In Bongi’s case, there’s an illness in his family, and he’ll join us as quickly as he can, but we have sufficient cover in that position with Malcom (Marx), Marnus (van der Merwe), and Jan-Hendrik (Wessels), who can also cover prop.”