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'It was the only decent rugby we played' - Erasmus fuming over Bok display
By Iain Strachan
South Africa boss Rassie Erasmus expects significant improvements from his team after watching them labour to a 34-21 victory over Argentina in their Rugby Championship opener.
Two tries apiece from Aphiwe Dyantyi and Makazole Mapimpi, together with scores for Lukhanyo Am and Faf de Klerk, saw the Springboks come from behind to get the better of the visitors in Durban.
They could well face a sterner examination on the Pumas' turf in the return fixture next weekend in Mendoza, where Erasmus knows there will be no margin for error.
"The only positive was the first 30 minutes in the second half; it was the only decent rugby we played," he said.
"I was expecting that we wouldn't produce a completely fluent display, but the first half was worse than I thought. Thankfully [captain] Siya [Kolisi] and the boys picked it up after the break.
"We lost a few line-outs that were crucial and there were some technical errors but for all of that it was a dominant performance, but it wasn't the crispest performance. Technically and tactically we weren't on par today."
Asked what he expects of Argentina next weekend, Erasmus replied: "They know what we're about now and we'll make a few changes to the team - four or five changes – as we're expecting a massive physical onslaught; they are fuming.
"They have always been tough there – but we got five points out of this game; not the most beautiful and perfect game but we're well in it. Going there I don't think we have the luxury of experimenting."
Pumas coach Mario Ledesma said: "They kept playing direct physical footie and it's like a dam; if you keep hammering, hammering eventually the wall will break."
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Latest Comments
Not upset, just amused at you going on about saucing. Maybe you should stick to soccer. Your comments dont matter, I was merely trying to help you to stop proving you ate a fool. Cheers from SA, the home of the mighty Springboks. By the way, liverpool deserves a better quality of supporter.
Go to commentsThat absolute BS, when did you come up with this idea?
All three were well on track to being All Blacks. They simply decided it was smarter to take the money right now rather than slog on for another 3 or 4 years waiting for their opportunity to line up.
Many AB quality players have not even got the chance to earn a cap for heavens sake, it is simply as you suggest elsewhere, better utilization of global talent to have them qualify for another nation.
The only problem is that the ABs get all the best players, mostly because they pay more, and the island nations, even the home nations, just get those that can't make it or want a bit more limelight.
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