Rassie Erasmus isn’t getting carried away after the Springboks launched their 2025 season with a commanding 54-7 win over the Barbarians at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday, reports DEVIN HERMANUS.
The world champions dominated from the outset in rainy conditions, leading 19-0 at half time through tries from Malcolm Marx, Man of the Match Cheslin Kolbe and debutant Vincent Tshituka, who completed his brace in the second half.
Erasmus unleashed his Bomb Squad after the restart, with replacement prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels striking immediately as the floodgates opened. Lood de Jager marked his international return with a try, while Damian de Allende’s post-hooter score sealed the comprehensive result.
The Boks face Italy at Loftus Versfeld next Saturday before hosting the Azzurri a week later in Gqeberha, and then welcoming Georgia to Nelspruit on 19 July.
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Describing the eight-tries-to-one rout of the Baas Baas as “a good hit-out”, Erasmus told reporters post-match: “We know the Barbarians were put together last week, and they obviously trained the whole week.
“We’re just happy we got through it and we understand that for them this is probably the worst conditions for a Barbarian team to play like this, but still we had to keep some structure.
“Overall, I guess it was satisfying but it was just a good hit-out. Now the Test matches start next week.”
The head coach praised stand-in captain Jesse Kriel, who led the side following Siya Kolisi’s injury withdrawal. “Whether Jesse’s captain or not captain, he contributes the same amount,” Erasmus said.
“I had to discuss some stuff with him during the game but I’m proud of him, and that he has that under his belt.
“Obviously, it’s not a Test match but we know he’s a student of the game. Today, he wasn’t just captain on defence. He was on both sides of the ball and obviously communication was very key.”
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Kriel, making his captaincy debut, was pleased with the team’s mindset despite the inclement weather. “It actually started in the week when we spoke about our mindset and mentality, and whether we could let the weather affect us or not,” the veteran centre said.
“We came in here positive, and wanted to be brave and bold with the ball in hand.
“We looked dangerous with turnover ball, and it’s always great when you get the ball into guys like [Aphelele] Fassi, Cheslin… They’re special rugby players, and they can make something out of nothing. I think we saw a lot of that today, so that’s a great start to the season.”
Looking ahead to the Incoming Series, Erasmus warned against complacency after Italy’s 73-6 demolition of Namibia in Windhoek on Friday.
“We won’t get carried away with a game like this [Barbarians win]. It’s a festival game, and we’re playing at home against a team that only practiced a few times together,” he said.
“Italy gave Namibia [a hiding]; I know they’re not one of the Tier 1 nations but they gave them 70 points, and we saw how well they played in the first two Test matches in the Six Nations.
“I guess this match and the next three matches that we play, we’re trying to focus a lot on us because when we hit the Rugby Championship… and Georgia, will also be a grind. So I guess we want to get better.”
Photo: @Springboks/Twitter
