Discussion of the Springboks' lock lineup ahead of the match against the All Blacks at Ellis Park

Legendary former All Blacks captain Sean Fitzpatrick believes that if he were in the current New Zealand squad, his goal would be to win matches in the greatest rugby rivalry (RGR) against the Springboks in South Africa. He views this victory as the perfect springboard for triumph at the World Cup next year.

Preparation for the World Cup

Fitzpatrick stated at an event at the FNB stadium in Johannesburg, where it was confirmed that Castle Double Malt is the title sponsor of the tour, that preparation for the World Cup is of great importance. The former hooker, who led the only All Black team to achieve a winning streak in South Africa in 1996, added that this is a great opportunity to win a series in South Africa.

He emphasized that winning this series would require 30 to 40 players capable of maintaining a high level of play over four consecutive Saturdays, which, in his opinion, meets the requirements of the World Cup. Fitzpatrick noted that both head coaches, including Dave Rennie and Rassie Erasmus, are focused on the bigger picture, namely the World Cup.

Comparison with Past Experience

The situation of the All Blacks resembles the position of the Springboks one year before the 2019 World Cup in Japan. A key moment for Erasmus's team was the dramatic victory over New Zealand in Wellington in 2018, which gave the team unwavering confidence. The Kiwis could gain a similar psychological boost if they win the upcoming four-match series. Winning the RGR title on foreign soil just three matches after Rennie took charge would be a monumental statement of intent.

Assessment of Springboks' Strength

Nevertheless, Fitzpatrick was not naive about the difficulty of the task ahead for the visitors. He acknowledged that South Africa is undoubtedly the best team in the world right now. He attributed this not only to on-field results but also to the depth of the squad built by Rassie. He called for an observation of how the Boks handle the pressure as favorites.

Commenting on New Zealand's current standing, he shared his enthusiasm as an All Black supporter. He noted that the team has not yet reached perfection, and playing against France and Italy will not be enough to beat South Africa. Fitzpatrick assured that there is an extremely competitive atmosphere in Rassie's team, as the coach, who has won the World Cup twice, understands the pressure. He concluded: 'You will not get fat or lazy in Rassie's team, I can tell you. If you don't deliver results, there will always be someone else.'

Internal Competition in Rugby

Fitzpatrick pointed out that the fierce internal competition in the Boks camp reflects the golden ages of New Zealand rugby. He reminded that in great All Black teams, one could not take one's place for granted. He added that it is customary in the All Blacks to say: 'Prepare as if you are the second choice.' He noted that they are currently in second place, which is good because it means they have a lot of work to do.

Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has presented a list of 43 players who will gather in Johannesburg. This squad is intended to prepare for the upcoming match against Argentina in Buenos Aires on August 8th, as well as for the series of 'Rugby Greatest Rivalry' (RGR) matches against New Zealand.

Return and Squad Management

As part of tactical division, Erasmus decided to send five players to their home clubs so they can gain game experience during friendly matches against touring All Blacks. Simultaneously, ten experienced Springboks players have returned from the injured list.

Among the high-profile players returning from injuries are props Eben Etzebeth and Luke de Jager, versatile forward Franco Mostert, captain Siya Kolisi, midfielders Sacha Phelenberg-Mngomezulu and Handre Pollard, versatile back-rowers Ethan Hooker and Keenan Moody, centre/flanker Andre Esterhuizen, and midfielder Morne van den Berg.

Planning and Player Rotation

Meanwhile, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Evan Roos, Andre-Hugo Winter, Embrose Papier, and Jaco Williams have been released to play for their clubs. Prop Ruben van Heerden, who debuted for the national team against Wales last Saturday, was excluded from the main squad to allow him to adapt at his new French club Montpellier, although he remains in reserve.

Erasmus emphasized that the decision to split the group was made after careful consideration to give every player a chance to prove themselves before the RGR series. He noted that splitting into two groups would be the best option for the Springboks team and the athletes themselves, allowing them to earn a spot in the squad.

The coach added that some players are recovering from injuries and need valuable game time. Therefore, the selection of participants for the trip to Argentina will depend on their progress during next week's training camp. The remaining players from the 43-man squad will stay in Johannesburg with the coaching staff to begin preparations for the matches against New Zealand.

Benefit of Rotation

Erasmus stressed that this arrangement benefits all parties. Players sent to their clubs will get the opportunity to face the All Blacks in relevant mid-week matches, which will be invaluable experience when forming the final squad for the RGR. Thus, it is viewed as a 'win-win' situation.

He also explained that since the number of players who can go to Argentina is limited, it is fair to give everyone equal chances. Some players training in Johannesburg will complete their recovery phase under the supervision of the medical team, while others, who have played a lot of rugby, need a break to recover their bodies.

Pre-South American Match Warning

Looking ahead to the confrontation in South America, Erasmus warned against underestimating the Los Pumas team. He noted that they are a quality team that has proven its capability in previous encounters. Furthermore, he reminded that Los Pumas defeated them in Argentina the last time they met there in 2024, so the team intends to send a strong contingent to Buenos Aires.

Currently, the Springboks are resting with their families before gathering in Johannesburg on Sunday. The group traveling to Argentina will fly out in two waves next Sunday and Monday.

All Blacks legend Sean Fitzpatrick believes that Rassie Erasmus's greatest achievement is creating an unprecedented depth of squad within the Springboks. He compared the current two-time World Rugby Champions from South Africa with the iconic New Zealand team of 2015.

Assessing Erasmus's Legacy

Fitzpatrick noted that while winning two consecutive World Cups is highly significant, Erasmus's true accomplishment lies in fostering an extremely competitive atmosphere within the team. The All Blacks legend emphasized that players at the highest level discuss this competition.

Comparison with the 2015 Team

Under Erasmus, the Springboks won the Rugby World Cup titles in 2019 and 2023. Ahead of the next major tournament, South Africa is again considered one of the main favorites to retain the Webb Ellis Cup. However, they face their main rivals—the All Blacks, who achieved similar success in 2011 and 2015.

Fitzpatrick explained Erasmus's success by citing the 2015 team, which defeated Australia in the final. He stated that one could field another 15 players in the same positions in that team and still remain clear favorites. Such a level of squad depth, according to Fitzpatrick, was astonishingly realized by Rassie.

Period of Change at the All Blacks

Comparing the current Springboks squad to the 2015 All Blacks team is a huge compliment, as the New Zealand team is considered one of the greatest in rugby history. Meanwhile, the All Blacks are undergoing a period of transformation following the appointment of Dave Rennie as head coach.

Fitzpatrick noted that Dave Rennie's primary task is to recreate that same fierce competition. He added that it is important to have several players constantly competing against each other for highly contested positions, regardless of the weekly match result.

Southern Hemisphere Dominance

The dominance of powerful Southern Hemisphere teams remains a defining characteristic of the sport. Since England's victory in 2003, New Zealand and South Africa have won all the World Cups against each other. Even despite Ireland's impressive rise as a global power in recent years, the Irish have yet to advance past the quarter-finals of the tournament.