The Springboks launched their Nations Championship campaign with a 66-7 demolition of Italy at the Allianz Stadium in Turin on Saturday, running in nine tries in a display that underlined why the world champions remain the standard bearers of global rugby.
Coach Rassie Erasmus watched his side race into a 45-0 lead by half-time through six tries, before adding three more after the break. But the man who rebuilt this team on a foundation of transformation and shared purpose was already looking ahead to sterner tests against France and Ireland over the next fortnight.
Erasmus refuses to nitpick a 66-7 win
Speaking after the match, according to IOL, Erasmus acknowledged the second half fell short of the first-half masterclass without losing sight of the bigger picture.
"It's almost impossible to put 80 minutes together at 100 per cent. Obviously, we're not happy with the second half," he said.
Italy, a proud side trailing by 45 points, began throwing the ball from everywhere after the break, while Erasmus also emptied his bench to give new faces game time. The coach argued that a winning margin of 59 points leaves little room for complaint.
"But when you win 66-7, I don't think you can start nitpicking problems in the second half. It wasn't perfect, but it was proper," Erasmus said, in comments also carried by Agence France-Presse.
The qualification came swiftly, however. Erasmus warned that this level of performance will not be enough when the Springboks face France in Paris on Friday and then Ireland, two sides that will ask far harder questions than Italy could.
"We have to play much better than this if we want to be competitive against France and Ireland," he said.
Discipline and depth built over eight years
What pleased Erasmus most was how his squad picked up where it left off after a month apart. The Boks conceded just one penalty in the first half and finished with only five penalties and five turnovers, a level of discipline that reflects the culture this coaching staff has spent eight years building.
That culture matters beyond the scoreboard. This is a side that carries the weight and the hopes of a nation still healing from the wounds of Apartheid, a team transformed from a symbol of minority privilege into one that belongs to all South Africans. When Erasmus speaks of players understanding the system after years together, he is describing an inheritance that belongs to Black South Africa as much as to anyone.
The gradual introduction of new players illustrates the point. Erasmus named Ethan Hooker, Morné van den Berg, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ruan Nortje, Cameron Hanekom, Jan-Hendrik Wessels and the returning Thomas du Toit as the new generation being folded into the system.
"So we've been able to bring people in here and there, and when you go to a game like this and pick a team that's match fit and ready, and everybody is calm and understands the system because we've been coaching them for a while, it's satisfying," he said."It's nice to know that after being a month away from one another, the boys got together and played like that."Salmaan Moerat injury concern
There was one sour note for the Boks. Lock Salmaan Moerat, the Stormers forward who has grown into a leader within this squad, was forced to withdraw shortly before kick-off after suffering back spasms during the warm-up.
Moerat had first felt the spasm on Thursday, and the coaching staff believed it would clear up. He looked comfortable at the captain's practice, but the problem returned during the warm-up, and Lood de Jager was promoted to the starting team with Franco Mostert coming onto the bench, as RugbyPass also reported.
"Salmaan had a little bit of a back spasm on Thursday, but we thought it would clear up. He looked good at the captain's practice, but unfortunately in the warm-up he got more back spasms, so hopefully it's not too serious," Erasmus said.Moerat was the only casualty from the match, and Erasmus said he did not believe there were any other serious injuries in the squad.
Next stop: Paris and the Stade de France
The Springboks fly to Paris on Saturday evening, where attention turns immediately to Friday's blockbuster against France at the Stade de France, a fixture Radio France Internationale flagged as the true examination of this campaign.
France at home, in front of their own crowd, will test everything this Bok side has built. Ireland will follow. If the world champions are to defend their crown in this Nations Championship, they will need to find a level well beyond what Italy required of them in Turin.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the score between the Springboks and Italy?
The Springboks beat Italy 66-7 at the Allianz Stadium in Turin on Saturday, scoring nine tries and leading 45-0 at half-time in their opening Nations Championship match.
Who got injured for the Springboks against Italy?
Lock Salmaan Moerat withdrew shortly before kick-off after suffering back spasms during the warm-up. Lood de Jager started in his place, and Erasmus said Moerat was the squad's only injury concern.
Who do the Springboks play next?
The Springboks face France at the Stade de France on Friday, followed by Ireland, with Erasmus warning his players must raise their game considerably for both fixtures.