Rassie Erasmus sends warning to referee Ben O’Keeffe

Rassie Erasmus says that Ben O’Keeffe needs to be wise to French attempts at manipulation.

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FRENCH PLAYERS ‘SIMULATE’ SAYS RASSIE ERASMUS

Erasmus feels that the French exaggerate contact to win penalties and get opponent’s carded.

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He feels the referee needs to be aware of how France play.

“The French do not play a reckless game where they are on the edge of being too physical with high hits,” Erasmus said according to SA Rugby Magazine.

“But what I think they do well is when they get hit close to the high [tackle] line, they really show that to the referee. They do simulate sometimes a little bit, which is clever, you know.

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“Sometimes, when the referee comes, they go down or, you know, the TV [replays] doesn’t work at that specific time I think they’re very clever at that … they’re very good at that.”

Erasmus came over philosophical in France and his musings surely rival those of René Descartes.

Erasmus has reinforced how difficult it will be for the Springboks to overcome a France team playing at home in front of a huge crowd.

RASSIE ERASMUS REVEALS SPRINGBOKS PHILOSOPHY

Erasmus wouldn’t get into tactics but lifted the lid on the general philosophy of the Springboks heading into the showdown.

“If you want to do something great, it will never be in ideal situations,” said Erasmus.

“Given how France have done and the way they’ve been playing in the last few years, this will be one of the top games, and we’ll have to try to manage that.

“Winning is everything, and there are different ways of winning. Defence, scrums, lineouts, mauls and rucks will always be important, and given where are in the competition now, things will get tighter as the pressure builds.”

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WRITING A NEW RWC CHAPTER?

France have lost their last two Rugby World Cup quarter-finals going down to Wales by a single point four years ago after a red card left them playing much of the match with 14 men. In 2015, France were given an all-time thumping by the All Blacks who would romp to their second successive title.

The Springboks would likely prefer to emulate the All Blacks in 2015 rather than Wales, who went down to the Boks in the last four in Japan having had their weaknesses exposed by France even in victory.