Eddie Jones claims Springboks ‘prioritised’ Cape Town Test and doesn’t read ‘too much’ into Ellis Park defeat
Springboks lock Eben Etzebeth and an inset of Eddie Jones.
Eddie Jones isn’t reading too much into the Wallabies’ historic victory over the Springboks at Ellis Park in round one of the Rugby Championship.
The experienced coach believes that Rassie Erasmus and his charges targeted the game against Australia in Cape Town, but predicts that the Wallabies would be better in the second Test.
South Africa targeting Cape Town Test
Jones stated as much on the Rugby Unity podcast when he discussed Erasmus’ decision to name the team for the second match against the Wallabies internally before the Rugby Championship opener.
The Japan boss said that the ploy isn’t that out of the ordinary, particularly with the size of the squad the Springboks are currently carrying.
“Sometimes you announce it, and sometimes you don’t,” he said.
“South Africa is winning at what 80%? They’ve been the most dominant team in the world. We were praising his selection before the game. It’s unusual, given his situation, where they carry a squad, I believe, of 42 all the time. So I think he’s just made it clear to the players.”
While it was a remarkable performance from Australia to claim a victory after going down 22-0 in the opening quarter to the Springboks, Jones believes that you cannot read too much into the Wallabies’ win.
“What I hear is that they prioritised the Test at Cape Town, and they thought they could win with the squad they had for the first Test, which was obviously proven wrong,” he added.
“That can happen at that level of rugby; anyone can win one game of rugby.
“They play that Test in Joburg 10 times and South Africa might win it seven of those times, so I wouldn’t read into it too much, mate.”
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Pressed as to why the Springboks may prioritise one Test over the other, Jones explained that the Wallabies generally play better at sea level.
“They probably thought Australia would be stronger in the second Test at Cape Town, and Australia traditionally play well in Cape Town,” he added.
“The history shows they have always played well there. In the old days at Newlands, the crowd used to be more receptive to the Australians than other crowds tended to be. The new stadium will have quite a good atmosphere.
“They felt Australia would be stronger in that second Test, and they generally are at sea level.”
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