Rassie Erasmus delays Springbok team news for All Blacks series

Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus will wait until Thursday before naming his team for the four-Test series against New Zealand. He said the late announcement is intended to limit the All Blacks’ preparation time and reflects the seriousness of the contest rather than an attempt to unsettle their opponents.

Erasmus explained the decision at a media conference in Johannesburg on Monday. In his view, keeping the selection back gives South Africa a small advantage while acknowledging the quality of the opposition. He rejected the idea that the move was designed to project confidence or arrogance.

The coach also challenged criticism that the Springboks have been deliberately slowing matches. South Africa have played five games during the period in question, he said, without receiving feedback that their approach had reduced the speed of play. Erasmus suggested some of the criticism may have come from opponents who had faced sides still operating in pre-season conditions, comparing that experience with January warm-up matches in Super Rugby.

He described the structure of the series as more demanding than a standard World Cup knockout run. Erasmus noted that a World Cup does not include a round of 16, while four consecutive Tests against New Zealand would present a tougher sequence than four playoff matches at the tournament.

The coach also dismissed concerns about South African supporters who choose to back the All Blacks. He said fans should be free to support New Zealand, pointing to his own admiration for All Blacks players from his youth, including Zinzan Brooke and Murray Mexted.

The Springboks’ selection will therefore remain undisclosed until Thursday, with Erasmus framing the timing as part of the respect owed to New Zealand and the challenge presented by the four-Test series.