Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus says he assumed Caleb Clarke would play for the All Blacks on Saturday and has put off naming his own match-day squad until Thursday to give rival Scott Robertson less time to analyse the visitors.
Erasmus, a man not unfamiliar with attempting to get the upper hand through the media – be it mainstream or social, has recently named his side at the beginning of the week; either as a show of confidence or a way to shield his players from speculation.
But he told members of the media at a press conference at his team’s central Auckland hotel last night that will not be the case this week ahead of the showdown at Eden Park.
“We think we will have a little more of a benefit only naming it on Thursday – just because there is a little bit of an unknown,” he said.
South Africa, like the three other nations in the Rugby Championship, have a one-win, one-loss record in this year’s competition. After losing to the Wallabies at Ellis Park, the Boks rebounded to beat them at Cape Town a week later.
“Most of the other teams we could have more or less guessed or had a good guesstimate," Erasmus added. "This game is such a big game maybe the best thing is for New Zealand not to analyse us too much.
“We are really desperate. We don’t win here often – not even to mention Eden Park. I don’t think any of us were born when South Africa last won here [in 1937]. For us it is a motivational thing. But it might motivate New Zealand even more and make them more desperate.
“I think people make a hell of a hype about that [playing at Eden Park] but internally you can’t get more motivated.”
Left wing Clarke returned from an ankle injury to play for Auckland against Wellington last weekend and many, including the visiting head coach, believed he would be in the mix for Saturday after the All Blacks’ back three of Rieko Ioane, Sevu Reece and Will Jordan struggled under the high ball in the loss to the Pumas in Buenos Aires.
“I thought Caleb would be in the mix,” Erasmus said.
All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson yesterday said Clarke needed more game time after not playing in the three July Tests against France or the two recent Tests against Argentina.
Leicester Fainga’anuku’s call-up to the squad as a replacement for Timoci Tavatavanawai may have also given Erasmus something to think about.
Other than the Clarke speculation, Erasmus was in full charm offensive mode, much as Robertson was yesterday.
“We’re playing New Zealand away from home – that’s obviously a massive challenge,” Erasmus said.
“We’re big rivals, we have been for a long time. We’ve been really close the last couple of years – even including the World Cup final.”
What about the All Blacks’ record at Eden Park, where they haven’t lost since 1994 – a run of 50 unbeaten Tests?
“There’s a big thing made about Eden Park and so on. For us it’s a nervous week. We’re confident we can do well. I guess New Zealand will be too… there will be pressure put on them but we are experiencing the same thing.
“Two teams that have a lot of respect for each other and internally both teams will believe they can win the match.
“I’ve been touring New Zealand since 1994 as a player. It’s never easy here. I don’t think I won as a player here. We’ve drawn one and won one here since I’ve been involved in the coaching. It’s always tough and nerve wracking.”
The reality is, though, that the All Blacks have lost their last four matches against South Africa and may feel the pressure of expectation of playing at their fortress a little more than the Boks.
Erasmus did confirm that inspirational skipper Siya Kolisi, who has made a quicker-than-expected return from a knee injury, was unlikely to play at Eden Park. He was more likely to be ready for Wellington a week later.
“Siya is touch and go for this week – he will definitely be available next week.”
For Erasmus, it was then back to what makes it “special” to play here.
“The passion New Zealanders have for their team and how proud they are of their team is something that really stood out for me.
“The support is really personal and really intense – and the commentary… from the people. The remarks… they put it out there and I think it gets to teams, it gets to players and coaches and that makes it a really special environment.”
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