Erasmus celebrates equalling record with win for weakened Springboks / Photo: PHILL MAGAKOE - AFP
Erasmus celebrates equalling record with win for weakened Springboks
Rassie Erasmus celebrated his record-equalling 54th match as South Africa coach when his weakened side beat England 45-21 on Saturday in a Rugby Championship first-round match.
Erasmus, whose coaching was a key factor in the 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cup triumphs of the Springboks, matched the record of 2007 World Cup winner Jake White.
South Africa outscored England by seven tries to three at Ellis Park in Johannesburg after captain and flanker Siya Kolisi and lock Eben Etzebeth withdrew injured just before the kick-off.
"Losing your captain and your most-capped player is not ideal, but the new guys would have learnt from it," Erasmus told a press conference.
"The young players coming in were not brilliant, but they certainly were not outclassed. We want them to go through these tough times.
"We thought back to last year's Test against Australia, when we led 22-0 but lost," said Erasmus, recalling a stunning 38-22 defeat by the Wallabies the last time South Africa played at Ellis Park.
"The biggest challenge of not playing together for seven months is not just how quickly you can sync again, but match fitness. Luckily, we had that match last year and we knew what to do.
"This time we were adapting through the game. Our aerial game was good, but I thought England were good with the scraps.
"The aerial game has become like a set-phase -- it is another source of possession for us," added Erasmus.
England captain and hooker Jamie George -- deputising for rested lock Maro Itoje -- said his team had been on the wrong end of "fine margins".
England trailed 31-21 with 11 minutes left, then centre Tommy Freeman and replacement flanker Guy Pepper were yellow carded in quick succession.
"Our discipline let us down. There were times when we put them under pressure," said George, who had a first-half try disallowed for offside.
"It was a great learning experience for us. We need to rally round, stay tight and get better for that experience.
"Our start was not good enough, but I was incredibly impressed by the character shown when we caught up.
"They were under pressure and it was just unfortunate that we were not able to capitalise on that momentum.
"For a large part of the game we were very much in it, and although the scoreboard might show otherwise, there were fine margins."
Next Saturday, South Africa host Scotland and England face Fiji, who are playing a home match in Liverpool as their national stadium in Suva does not meet competition requirements.
U.Paccione--PV
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