Rassie Erasmus Praises Springboks’ Resilience Against Ireland. Image- SABC Sport.
(The Post News)- Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus acknowledges that the squad wasn’t playing at its best in the 24-13 victory over Ireland on Saturday.
He was ecstatic to win in Dublin for the first time since 2012. There were many cards, penalties, and brilliant moments from both teams during the intensely physical match.
Ireland was down to just 12 players at one stage in the game. A player was sent off for 20 minutes and they were given four yellow cards. Springboks struggled to convert their prolonged time in the red zone into a dominant lead against an Irish defense.
Coach Rassie Erasmus Celebrates Breaking Irish Stronghold on Home Soil.
Erasmus stressed the importance of defeating a team that has historically caused South Africa problems. Even if he conceded that a higher score would have been preferable. The team was proud to have won on Irish soil after years of difficult struggles.
He emphasized how difficult it is to capitalize on scoring opportunities inside the 22-meter zone. How difficult it is to manage players coming off and returning due to penalties and injuries.
He also spoke of how physically demanding the game is. With players likely returning to commitments in Japan or the Vodacom United Rugby Championship. Erasmus saw the triumph as a testament to perseverance and tenacity across a long and taxing season.
“We are not going to get taken away by the result, but the beer tastes quite more pleasant. It was an excellent victory against an opposition like Ireland. They have consistently beaten us throughout the time we’ve been united as a group. If you examine back at every game that we’ve competed in, they have remained three-two up in opposition to us. It’s been a tough season for us. Many of the players must return to Japan, and others to the Vodacom United Rugby Championship. We are simply grateful that we were able to defeat them here,” he remarked.
In the end, the Springboks acknowledge that previous meetings with Ireland have frequently been close and competitive. This victory was evidence of their tenacity and capacity to produce under duress, ending a 13-year skid in Dublin.
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