Erasmus rejects slow-play claims as Kolisi, Nche face doubts

Rassie Erasmus has rejected claims that South Africa deliberately slow down play, while confirming that captain Siya Kolisi and prop Ox Nche are the only injury doubts ahead of Saturday’s Test. The pair were progressing well at the team’s Johannesburg training camp, but both still face late fitness checks.

South Africa will name its team on Thursday. Erasmus said Kolisi and Nche could still be selected if they complete training, with their availability likely to be decided after that session. Every other member of the squad is fit and available.

The coach said South Africa’s recent matches against New Zealand in Auckland and Wellington did not support the suggestion that his teams had intentionally reduced the tempo. New Zealand won in Auckland, while South Africa earned a positive result in Wellington. Erasmus said his side expected another demanding contest and believed tight matches required a balance between attacking ambition and maintaining cohesion under pressure.

He added that the team had a structure to rely on when matches became difficult. Since Tony Brown joined the coaching staff, Erasmus felt South Africa had moved in the right direction, while still retaining a method that could protect the players during the most intense periods.

South African Rugby’s laws adviser Jaco Peyper said teams have 30 seconds to form a scrum or lineout once the referee marks the location. That countdown begins when the referee places a foot on the mark, rather than when the whistle is blown. Teams can use that time as they choose, but opponents are not required to wait if they are ready to restart play. Peyper said referees would apply the law firmly and would also monitor other ways of disrupting the rhythm, including infringements at the breakdown and maul.

Erasmus expects New Zealand to bring an intense running game built around multi-phase attacks. He also identified the All Blacks’ physical work at the breakdown and their attacking kicks, including well-timed grubbers, as major threats. South Africa is preparing for variations in New Zealand’s lineout play, including movements they may not have shown during the Nations Championship.