Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus has brushed off concerns that his squad may be underprepared heading into the Rugby Championship. Despite facing comparatively lighter opposition in the lead-up, Erasmus is confident. With back-to-back tests against Australia on 16 and 23 August in Johannesburg and Cape Town, respectively, Erasmus believes the Springboks are ready. They will match the Wallabies both physically and tactically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speaking at the team\u2019s Johannesburg training base, Rassie Erasmus addressed the extended training camp. The camp now lasts two weeks. He revealed that the decision came after coaches raised concerns that players weren\u2019t receiving enough concentrated preparation in the early stages of the season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Springboks began their season with an initial 55-man squad. This squad has since been trimmed to 37 players. This reduction, Erasmus explained, allows for more focused one-on-one coaching. With fewer players to manage, the technical staff can now sharpen individual performances. They also fine-tune combinations before the championship kicks off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While critics argue that facing lower-ranked teams like Italy and Georgia offers less of a challenge, Erasmus doesn\u2019t buy that narrative. In comparison to Australia<\/a>‘s warm-up series against the British and Irish Lions, Erasmus remains unconvinced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n