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Erasmus explains why Springboks wanted pre-RWC trip to Argentina

(Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

South African director of rugby Rassie Erasmus has explained why he has arranged for the Springboks to play a pre-Rugby World Cup warm-up match in Argentina before they head to Europe to round off their preparation ahead of France 2023. The reigning world champions kick off their finals campaign with a September 10 pool match versus Scotland in Marseille.

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Before that opener in France, the Springboks have a six-game build-up – three matches in the shortened Rugby Championship and another three that are classed as warm-up fixtures.

The August 25 meeting with the All Blacks in London will be the Springboks’ final hit-out before they travel to their World Cup team base camp in Toulon. However, it is another build-up match that stands out for Erasmus in their preparation – the decision to play Argentina away in South America the weekend after they will host the Pumas in Johannesburg in the final round of the Rugby Championship.

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It’s a journey that, on paper, sounds like an unnecessary slog but DoR Erasmus has explained why the fixture in Argentina is very important as regards the Springboks’ ambition to retain the World Cup.

He said: “Playing against Argentina in South America is unique as they have a very passionate home crowd that brings the best out of their team, so that environment will serve as good preparation for our team with an eye on the Rugby World Cup, especially after getting a taste of the atmosphere we can expect at the international extravaganza in our match against France in Marseille last November.”

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The Springboks will open their 2023 playing calendar with a Rugby Championship fixture versus Eddie Jones’ Australia in Pretoria before travelling to New Zealand and then hosting Argentina to complete that tournament. They then travel to Argentina to play there before subsequent World Cup warm-ups versus Wales in Cardiff and the All Blacks at Twickenham.

Head coach Jacques Nienaber reported that his coaching team was busy signing off on plans. “The coaches have hit the ground running this year and we will continue to put in the hard yards as we attempt to ensure that we leave no stone unturned before the World Cup,” he said. “We are on course in terms of finalising our planning for the season and we are excited about returning to the training field.

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1 Comment
S
Snash 890 days ago

sounds like BS to me but he sure knows more about rugby than I.

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JW 14 minutes ago
Can Les Bleus avoid a Black-wash in New Zealand?

Five of the players who started for Les Bleus in Paris have crossed both red lines [Lucu, Bielle-Biarrey, Moefana, Penaud and Ramos] and were sensibly withdrawn from tour consideration. Four of those are UBB backs.

Is that really the case though? This is what the whole debate is really about of course, whether Fabien is just coming up with excuses for LNR bullying of its International players, whether for France or Fiji, during International windows. Something that’s gone on semi under the radar for decades without WR doing much about it.


For instance, here are last years touring teams, should total numbers (2 more games/weekends what French players are it here in this article).


First 23 of two match series against New Zealand and South Africa respectfully;

England

Joe MARLER 1238 32

Jamie GEORGE 1822 32

Will STUART 1322 35

Maro ITOJE 2541 33

George MARTIN 1357 22

Chandler CUNNINGHAM-SOUTH 987 24

Sam UNDERHILL 1598 24

Ben EARL 1869 27

Alex MITCHELL 2041 32

Marcus SMITH 2178 34

Tommy FREEMAN 2530 35

Ollie LAWRENCE 2148 33

Henry SLADE 2554 34

Immanuel FEYI-WABOSO 1773 28

George FURBANK 709 12

Theo DAN 1184 38

Fin BAXTER 1414 28

Dan COLE 1268 28

Alex COLES 1839 28

Tom CURRY 373 9

Ben SPENCER 1741 28

Fin SMITH 2036 33

Ollie SLEIGHTHOLME 1325 23


Ireland

Andrew PORTER 1717 27

Dan SHEEHAN 1411 28

Tadhg FURLONG 1356 26

Joe MCCARTHY 1857 27

Tadhg BEIRNE 2372 31

Peter O'MAHONY 1372 24

Josh VAN DER FLIER 1784 29

Caelan DORIS 2149 33

Craig CASEY 1409 26

Jack CROWLEY 2202 33

James LOWE 1681 22

Bundee AKI 1749 22

Robbie HENSHAW 1862 26

Calvin NASH 1871 26

Jamie OSBORNE 1421 19

Ronan KELLEHER 1047 30

Cian HEALY 517 22

Finlay BEALHAM 1102 27

James RYAN 1137 21

Ryan BAIRD 1616 28

Conor MURRAY 898 29

Ciarán FRAWLEY 1518 28

Garry RINGROSE 1180 18


As you can see, and would expect, there is no reason France’s best players shouldn’t be playing if they want to, with Englands players managing well and following up with a strong 6N despite a much heavier load, and only slightly behind (as this French season is still going) Irelands similar player management of players, compared to French clubs (with its heavy Leinster following), which allowing them to take part.


So is it all bogus? Well don’t let these numbers decide for you. Their source is questionable and it’s only one season (a RWC one at that). French fans complaining about overworked players do well to point out things have improved only recently and that players are still recovering from heavier loads some two or three years prior.


I’ve added some more numbers for anyone with interest.

England 23/24 minutes 37847 games 652

Ireland 23/24 minutes 35228 games 602

France A 24/25 minutes 37160 games 623

France C 24/25 minutes 33200 games 612


France B (the remaining players not in A or C)

Cyril BAILLE 635 16

Georges-Henri COLOMBE 550 17

Reda WARDI 1362 27

Tevita TATAFU 655 16

Joshua BRENNAN 1254 28

Matthias HALAGAHU 1114 23

Bastien VERGNES-TAILLEFER 1206 27

Charles OLLIVON 877 14

Esteban ABADIE 1893 27

Greg ALLDRITT 1804 27

Marko GAZZOTTI 1516 30

Thibault DAUBAGNA 1310 28

Matthieu JALIBERT 1847 28

Nicolas DEPOORTÈRE 1629 25

Pierre-Louis 1751 26

Leo BARRÉ 1621 26


We can see the team for Scotland would have easily matched/surpassed England, were we have 1200 minutes a match, so we can consider this a sound principle for a group of players (a large part of selection/fitness criteria was based around excluding the 6N team) if not on an individual level.


Like for Like compared to some touring Lions(missing finalists, all.rugby is not following midweek games) ;

Ellis GENGE 1544 27

Finlay BEALHAM 1385 25

Pierre SCHOEMAN 1455 28

Tadhg FURLONG 394 10

Luke COWAN-DICKIE 1673 28

Ronan KELLEHER 908 21

Maro ITOJE 2136 28

Scott CUMMINGS 1061 20

Tadhg BEIRNE 2106 27

Ben EARL 1869 27

Henry POLLOCK 1618 27

Jac MORGAN 1919 26

Tom CURRY 1427 24

Alex MITCHELL 1353 22

Tomos WILLIAMS 1744 26

Fin SMITH 1834 27

Marcus SMITH 2115 28

Bundee AKI 1509 22

Elliot DALY 1662 23

Sione TUIPULOTU 1309 17

Duhan VAN DER MERWE 1463 20

Mack HANSEN 1270 17

Tommy FREEMAN 2202 29

Lions v Arg 23 - minutes 35956 games 549


France C, at 33k min, is very light. Was there a middle ground to be had or is it all bogus and the french clubs are out of control? Their brand will be hurting big time, and there are opportunities for LNR to make some easy fixes. Do they have the balls?

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