Amid the 2023 Rugby World Cup (RWC) fervour, the latest Springbok rankings and Rassie Erasmus’ remarks have surfaced, showcasing a gripping narrative as the semifinals against England loom.
Springboks climb to top of World Rugby Rankings
As the anticipation for the 2023 RWC semifinals skyrockets, the spotlight is on the Springboks who have climbed the World Rugby Rankings to claim the top spot, overtaking powerhouse teams along the way.
The latest rankings reveal South Africa at the helm, followed by New Zealand and Ireland, making the upcoming clash against England, ranked fifth, a tantalising prospect.
LATEST WORLD RUGBY RANKINGS:
RelatedPosts
- South Africa (up three spots)
- New Zealand (up four spots)
- Ireland (down one spot)
- France (down two spots)
- England (up six spots)
- Scotland (down five spots)
- Argentina (up eight spots)
- Wales (down seven spots)
- Australia (=)
- Fiji (=)
- Italy (=)
- Japan (=)
- Portugal (=)
- Georgia (=)
- Samoa (=)
- Tonga (=)
- Uruguay (=)
- USA (=)
- Spain (=)
- Romania (=)
DID YOU KNOW? – Ramaphosa teases ‘public holiday’ if Springboks win 2023 Rugby World Cup
Rassie Erasmus shares thoughts ahead of England clash
SA Rugby Director of Rugby, Rassie Erasmus, in a recent interaction, shed light on the upcoming high-voltage semifinal against England slated for Saturday, 21 October 2023, in Paris.
He acknowledged the well-balanced composition of both teams, which, coupled with their current form, is expected to give way to a grinding contest.
“We know how fit Aled will have them, and some of our players play in the England Premiership, but over and above that Steve Borthwick (England head coach) is a good coach,” Erasmus said.
The face-off is set for 21:00 CAT at the iconic Stade de France, making it the marquee event of the weekend, with rugby enthusiasts worldwide gearing up for a titanic clash.
Reflecting on the importance of fundamental gameplay at this advanced stage of the tournament, Erasmus emphasised the need for executing the basics flawlessly.
The narrative gets a twist with the Springboks’ 2019 RWC winning strength and conditioning coach, Aled Walters, now adorning the England camp.
The fitness facet of the game is expected to be a thorough test, alluding to the meticulous conditioning regime Walters is known for.
“We’ll train and prepare as hard as we can this week because it’s going to be a very tough test against a team that hasn’t lost a game. So, we know what we are in for,” Erasmus added.
Delving into a comparative analysis, Erasmus pointed out the striking similarities between England and South Africa in terms of tries scored and conceded, accentuating the defensive prowess both teams possess.
The anticipation is for a low-scoring, hard-fought match, synonymous with semifinal rugby where every point is a monumental achievement.
Erasmus also touched upon the tactical and physical battle witnessed in the quarter-final against France, which the Boks narrowly won 29-28.
The nail-biting finish was a testament to the level of competition, and a humble acknowledgement was made towards the French team and their coach for the sportsmanship displayed.
“And they would have deserved it, just as we did. Tactically and physically, we pushed each other until the end. And I must commend the French coach (Fabien Galthie) for the respect he had for us after the game. He was humble and sincere,” the gaffer said.
