Rassie Erasmus made her Twitter debut in February 2020 with those words.
Video of him giving a rousing pre-game motivational speech deep within the Yokohama International Stadium three months earlier accompanied his debut post.
After disappointing victories over Japan and Wales in the previous rounds, the Springboks were appropriately inspired and swept past England to win the Rugby World Cup final 32-12.
Erasmus still sets the tone as the teams get ready to meet again on Saturday, three years and 190 posts later.
At Twickenham, South Africa’s director of rugby and chief content creator will not be present.He is instead serving the second week of a two-week suspension from the Springbok matchday lineup.
LISTEN:Smit on Rugby Union Weekly Springboks not given due respect – Nienaber His suspension was imposed for his less enlightening, but now more regular, social media output, a string of tweets highlighting refereeing calls against his team. Rugby Union Weekly – a must-win game We want to get Twickenham bouncing – George Erasmus’ behavior “making Boks easy to dislike”
Erasmus asserts that their purpose was to initiate discussion and enhance comprehension of the game.
There are already a lot of backchannels where people can talk to referees.Erasmus is aware of this.
For example:After South Africa’s first of three Tests against the British and Irish Lions was lost in Cape Town in July, the Springbok staff was unhappy with a number of decisions made by the referee in Australia, Nic Berry.Berry sent Erasmus an email within 30 minutes.
Berry wrote, “I received your clips, thank you,” and offered to meet with Erasmus to evaluate his performance.Berry also provided his thoughts on each of the 36 calls in question in his response.
Shortly thereafter, the video surfaced online, igniting hostility throughout the tour of the British and Irish Lions.Erasmus’ claim that he was not accountable for its public release was rejected by an independent disciplinary committee.
As a result, it seems as though Erasmus intended his public performance in the fall for a specific, private audience, much like his speech in Yokohama:the Springboks as a whole.
The best players in test rugby act like underdogs.A new siege mentality has driven out any swagger they might have had after winning the World Cup.That roar?It’s a rekindled desire to disprove the world’s assumptions.
This past week, head coach Jacques Nienaber made an appearance in front of the media.He stated that the entire truth regarding Erasmus’ ban had not yet been made public.He asserted that a false narrative about his team is being circulated.
Games of mind?Indeed, it might simply be the inspiration South Africa need.
In 2019, the Springboks were a different team.England is also not either.
Operators who are smarter and more savvy will no longer be coerced out of games.Muscle and mind should be sent in equivalent measure.
England and South Africa rank fourth and fifth, respectively, in the rankings.Neither team has yet to surpass a fall win rate of 50%.
Both are looking for ways to improve their game and find solutions in time for France 2023.
Nienaber seethed at the generalization of his group, who scored 20 attempts in six Rugby Title games recently, as crash epicureans and little else.
Evan Roos, a number eight with startling speed, wins his third cap at Twickenham.The dazzling running game of Damian Williamse, who starts at 10, was never a part of 2019 fly-half Handre Pollard’s arsenal.
Eddie Jones of England, who is used to being the center of attention in the lead-up to a big game, has played a relatively minor role in the days leading up to this one.
He made the joking comment that Erasmus might imitate football coach Jose Mourinho by rescuing his team from a Twickenham laundry basket.He stated that his England wanted to “light up” Twickenham with the same enthusiasm as their comeback against the New Zealand All Blacks.
But the Boks controversy hasn’t helped him in the way you might think.
Instead, Jones has concentrated on expanding the team’s arsenal, which has tended to reach for the sledgehammer first.
He has brought Tommy Freeman back, who, along with Freddie Steward and Jonny May, makes a fast back three that is equally at ease with the high ball.
Read Also:- Rassie Erasmus Wife, Kids, Family, Illness, Net Worth, Age, Ethnicity