World rugby new rules rassie erasmus
FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Second Test - South Africa v British and Irish Lions - Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town, South Africa - July 31, 2021 Former South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus speaks with South Africa's Steven Kitshoff, Handre Pollard and Siya Kolisi REUTERS/Mike Hutchings/File Photo

Home » Rassie Erasmus says Springboks will step up to the challenge of defending RWC

Rassie Erasmus says Springboks will step up to the challenge of defending RWC

Rassie Erasmus believes that the Springboks can become the second team in history to win the Rugby World Cup back-to-back. RASSIE ERASMUS SAYS SPRINGBOKS WILL STEP UP The Springboks are among the contenders for the 2023 crown, but there is a different feeling heading into the tournament this time around. “The nice thing about this […]

By James Richardson
26-06-23 09:38
in Featured
World rugby new rules rassie erasmus
FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Second Test - South Africa v British and Irish Lions - Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town, South Africa - July 31, 2021 Former South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus speaks with South Africa's Steven Kitshoff, Handre Pollard and Siya Kolisi REUTERS/Mike Hutchings/File Photo

Rassie Erasmus believes that the Springboks can become the second team in history to win the Rugby World Cup back-to-back.

RASSIE ERASMUS SAYS SPRINGBOKS WILL STEP UP

The Springboks are among the contenders for the 2023 crown, but there is a different feeling heading into the tournament this time around.

“The nice thing about this group is we have been together for a long time. We are very realistic and we don’t often get dragged into what people are saying or thinking,” Erasmus said.

“We know realistically that in 2019 we were sort of the underdogs going into the World Cup. But now we are world champions and we have to go and try and defend that.

“We feel we have as good a chance (as anyone else) … but we are under no illusions … Australia under Eddie (Jones), New Zealand, Ireland, who are number one (in the world), France are number two, you can go right through to Scotland.”

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Rassie Erasmus Eddie Jones England
Eddie Jones and Rassie Erasmus. Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images via AFP

NOT THE FAVOURITES

Erasmus doesn’t believe that the Springboks are by any means the favourites heading into the tournament.

“It would be stupid to think we are favourites. We know that and aren’t even going to argue that because there is no sense in doing that.

“But we definitely feel the expectations on our shoulders because people expect us to go and defend our title. So we are certainly going to try.”

SPRINGBOK 2023 FIXTURES:

Castle Lager Rugby Championship:

Saturday, 8 July – Springboks vs Australia (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria)

Saturday, 15 July – Springboks vs New Zealand (Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland)

Saturday, 29 July – Springboks vs Argentina (Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg)

RWC warm-up fixtures:

Saturday, 5 August – Springboks v Argentina (Velez Sarsfield, Buenos Aires)

Saturday, 19 August – Springboks vs Wales (Principality Stadium, Cardiff)

Friday, 25 August – Springboks vs New Zealand (Twickenham, London)

RWC fixtures:

Sunday, 10 September – Springboks v Scotland (Stade Marseille, Marseille)

Sunday, 17 September – Springboks v Romania (Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux)

Saturday, 23 September – Springboks v Ireland (Stade de France, Paris)

Sunday, 1 October – Springboks v Tonga (Stade Marseille, Marseille)

Weekend of 14/15 October – Quarter-finals

Weekend of 21/22 October – Semi-finals

Saturday, 28 October – Final

Tags: 2023 Rugby World Cup featured MMifunsa Rassie Erasmus Springboks