South Africa Rugby Director Rassie Erasmus has taken a cheeky shot at world rugby number 1 ranked team Ireland whom they will be playing this weekend.
Erasmus was asked whether the coaching staff had addressed their poor record against Ireland in preparation for their Rugby World Cup pool match which he replied that a few of his friends mentioned that Ireland is the Springboks’ bogey team, but he believes the World Cup is Ireland’s bogey competition.
The Springboks’ boss clearly referenced the fact that Ireland have never progressed past the quarter-finals of the World Cup.
He says history was made back at the 2019 RWC when the Springboks lost their pool match against the All Blacks and went on to win the final, a feat that has never been done before.
Erasmus has also highlighted that the All Blacks lost their first pool game ever this year but does not take away the fact that they are strong contenders for the RWC title this year.
Erasmus insisted that history matters little, with the belief that the current squads and coaches are far more important.
He says at the end of the day, it’s what those 33 players and the management believe.
Erasmus says this spices things up but it does not make a difference and the history for the teams.
The Springboks will take on Ireland at 7am this Sunday.
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