One loss, one overreaction

Springbok fans have grown accustomed to success and now react harshly to defeats. After losing 42-38 to Australia in Perth on September 27, some dismissed the team and its depth chart despite nine years of dominance.

The All Blacks series proved doubters wrong

After South Africa lost 33-16 to New Zealand in the opening Greatest Rivalry clash, critics called it the beginning of the end for Rassie Erasmus' team. The Boks won the series 3-1 instead.

Nine years of unprecedented success

The Springboks maintain an 85 percent win record during a four-year cycle while winning major series and tournaments. They have lost six times since the start of the 2024 season and haven't lost back-to-back Tests since November 2022.

Erasmus earned the right to rotate

South African rugby fans have moved from surviving on crumbs to feasting on gourmet cakes weekly. Erasmus has struck the right balance often, claiming wins while gaining valuable answers about different players and combinations.

Nations Championship rotation worked

Erasmus used 43 players in total during the Nations Championship Tests in July, with no complaints. The Boks finished with bonus-point victories against England, Scotland and Wales, and development goals were realised.

Perth was different: 20 players missing

Erasmus rested first-choice players including Damian Willemse, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Cobus Reinach, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi and Ruan Nortjé. Injuries ruled out Cheslin Kolbe, Kwagga Smith, RG Snyman, Frans Malherbe and Trevor Nyakane.

More absences compounded the problem

Match 23 regulars Manie Libbok, Grant Williams, Cameron Hanekom, Thomas du Toit, Deon Fourie and Gerhard Steenekamp also missed out. Double World Cup-winner Faf de Klerk, who remains on Erasmus' radar, wasn't considered for the tour.

The Perth squad lacked balance

De Villiers, Ethan Hooker and Morné van den Berg have been among the Boks' most consistent performers this season. But the starting XV against Australia lacked the same balance across combinations that worked in July and against the All Blacks.

Erasmus got the mix wrong

The starting XV left the bench with too much to do. The Boks looked far better when the Bomb Squad was deployed after 47 minutes, unleashing World Cup-winning forwards and the form halfback combination of Van den Berg and Feinberg-Mngomezulu.

But context matters for these players

André Esterhuizen and Canan Moodie started when South Africa thrashed the All Blacks 35-7 in London in 2023. Aphelele Fassi and Elrigh Louw were among the best performers in the 2024 Rugby Championship, which the Boks won.

Erasmus has lessons to learn

The Boks have room for improvement on defence and at the line-out in recent Tests. They need to develop more experienced options at hooker and lock in the coming months, and Erasmus should take selection lessons from Perth to heart.

Rotation will continue in November

There is a good chance Erasmus will rotate his squad over the course of the tour of Europe in November, with the dual aim of managing players and getting more answers before the all-important 2027 World Cup.

Two views on the rotation strategy

Those following the group's nine-year journey appreciate what Erasmus is trying to achieve and why this policy is bold and necessary. Others feel the Boks should field their best combination every week regardless of player welfare demands.

No crisis, but faith is needed

The situation is not the crisis it has been made out to be, and it is certainly not time to panic. After all the team has achieved over the past nine years, a little faith in the process is surely not too much to ask.

“After all the team has achieved over the past nine years, a little faith in the process is surely not too much to ask.”