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Rassie Erasmus urged to switch Test allegience after World Cup win
By Ian Cameron
Double Rugby World Cup winning Springboks director of rugby Rassie Erasmus has been called upon to switch allegiance following South Africa's thrilling victory in the Rugby World Cup final in Paris.
New Zealand captain Sam Cane became the first player to be sent off in a World Cup final as South Africa retained their title with a nail-biting 12-11 victory at Stade de France.
Cane was shown a red card for in the 28th minute for a dangerous tackle on Jesse Kriel but the All Blacks responded with character and resilience to take the champions to the wire on a wet Paris night.
Beauden Barrett ran in the first try ever scored against South Africa in a World Cup final as the final quarter approached but, with Richie Mo’unga unable to add the conversion, New Zealand still trailed.
Jordie Barrett then missed a tricky long-range penalty that would have toppled the Springboks and despite furious late attempts to strike from long range they were unable to break through the green wall.
Handre Pollard kicked four first-half penalties but South Africa failed to score again after the interval of one of the greatest finals that ended with the 80,000 crowd on their feet in nervous anticipation.
The victory means South Africa are the most successful nation in men’s World Cup history with their fourth crown nudging them clear of the All Blacks.
Now DoR Erasmus has been called upon to lend a hand in righting England. "Hey Rassie, congrats and all that but what are your plans now? Fancy leading England please?'
Signs are that with head coach Jacques Nienaber heading to Leinster, Erasmus will stay to guide the Springboks for the time being at least. Erasmus finding a new gig with England isn't so far fetched though, as his assistant coach Felix Jones is already on his way north after the World Cup.
As regards to social media, Erasmus - who has changed his picture to that of Agustin Pichot for some reason - took the time following the Boks' win to direct a Tweet at RugbyPass writer Ben Smith, who's become a regular sparring partner.
additional reporting PA
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Latest Comments
Apart from the scrum a really sloppy AB performance. Through successive coaching regimes they just don't seem to be able to cope with motivated and physically aggressive opposition, getting knocked off the ball and scrambling around with back foot ball. A lack of proper 10 means we are then not turning the opposition around and pinning them in their corners.
Go to commentsSheesh Goldie, South Africa actually lost two tests, IRE & ARG. Everyone got beaten at least twice this year so I'm not sure why the Boks are the "standard". I'd hate the ABs to follow their example. Our standard should be ABs (version 2015).
But I agree, the ABs are definitely in the B range. For me, it's a B+, the + mainly reflecting the lifting of the teams baseline from wobbly to now comfortably being able to win ugly.
Bring on 2025.
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