By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus praised all 52 players he employed in a stunning season for not losing momentum as they wrapped up the year with a 45-12 victory over Wales.
Commenting on his side’s win over Wales, and the season as a whole, the World Cup-winning coach said he was ‘satisfied’ with how things went.
“We are satisfied with the scoreboard (against Wales) and the year in general,” said Erasmus. “I must applaud the players for their effort, especially since we made so many changes.”
He added: “It was nice for the team to have achieved all of that.”
The Springboks have deployed a whopping 50 different players this season across their 12 Tests, with debutant Cameron Hanekom the latest to join that list, but he said the way the key leaders like Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth and Pieter-Steph du Toit kept everyone on the same page and ‘bought into the plan’.
“It’s rewarding that we were able to finish the year using 50 players. We lost rhythm at times, but the way Siya (Kolisi) and the other leaders kept the group together was special.”
“I was worried at first about how the players will take the swapping, but we were honest with them at the beginning of the season, and they all bought into the plan, which is admirable.”
The Boks have also seen some change in their backroom staff this year too. Head coach Jacques Nienaber – who also headed up the defence -and attack coach Felix Jones both left the set-up, with Erasmus returning as head coach and Tony Brown and Jerry Flannery being drafted in to lead the attack and defence respectively, and Erasums was full of praise for his new members of staff.
“We also got a new attack and defence coach in this year (Tony Brown and Jerry Flannery) and the way they slotted in and assisted the team was fantastic.”
The success of the Springboks will now put them into the debate as arguably the greatest team of all time, but no matter what they can be pleased with their 2024 campaign.