Hailing Rassie Erasmus for reinvigorating the veteran Springbok players, Bryan Habana believes a historic World Cup three-peat is on in Australia.
In a recent interview with RugbyPass, Habana highlighted how Rassie Erasmus has reinvigorated the seasoned Springboks, allowing them to continue performing at their highest level.
Following a hard-fought drawn series with Ireland in July, the Springboks claimed their first southern hemisphere title since 2019 and are now targeting an unbeaten November tour against Scotland, England and Wales.
While the expectation was for Erasmus to start phasing out some of the veterans who guided the Bok to back-to-back world titles this year, the likes of Pieter-Steph du Toit, Cheslin Kolbe and Damian de Allende have reinforced why they are considering to be among the best in their respective positions.
“You look at someone like Pieter-Steph du Toit, who has been monumental this season,” Habana told RugbyPass. “If he isn’t up there with the top two best players in the world, I’m not sure who would be. And seeing the old guard, the likes of a Cheslin Kolbe, performing without injury.
“Rassie is one of the most innovative coaches out there and has created a wealth of excitement where you think players were ageing, players weren’t possibly going to be around for 2027 and all of a sudden, the manner that Rassie has reinvigorated their energy and passion seems that it is a possibility and giving their best shot at trying to go three in a row in three years.”
Erasmus has used 49 players so far this year, giving debuts to up-and-comers like Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ruan Venter, Morne van den Berg and Edwill van der Merwe, while bringing already-capped stars like Aphelele Fassi back into the fold.
“Seeing the unearthing of young talent, someone like Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who made his debut,” Habana said. “Unfortunately injured for the Autumn Nations Series but he has created a lot of excitement. Aphelele Fassi keeping out a veteran double World Cup winner in Willie le Roux. He is playing some brilliant rugby and that has highlighted the depth that South African rugby has got.
“There is an incredibly strong core group of leadership but young voices are allowed to be heard at the top of the table and in so doing everyone understands what their accountability is when you wear that Springbok jersey.
“Rassie has been fair while being harsh in many instances. I look at someone like Willie, who is sitting on 98 Test caps. Rassie could have easily played him against any of Argentina, Australia, New Zealand to get him to that 100th cap in South Africa.”
Photo: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
The post Habana: Rassie’s veterans on track for three-peat appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Src: sarugbymag.co.za
