Ex-All Black in awe of the Springboks as Rassie Erasmus credited for ‘changing the game’

Former All Blacks hooker and respected pundit James Parsons was left in awe of the Springboks following their victory over the Barbarians last weekend.

After a mixed first half, South Africa found their rhythm to blow the invitational side away in the second period, claiming an 80-31 triumph at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

It was used by the Boks as a warm-up to the Nations Championship, which begins with a game against England next weekend.

Impressive Boks skill set

“It was not their top line-up, they gave some guys some opportunity and rewarded URC form, but the skill set and the ability to get to the edge and the speed on the edge,” Parsons said on the Aotearoa Rugby Pod.

“Oh my god, that [Edwill van der Merwe] try from about 70 or 80 metres in the second half where he absolutely blitzed down that left-hand side.

“Admittedly the Baa-Baas were a little bit piss-crook but 80 points, that’s still an international-stacked side, it’s a hell of a lot to put on them.

“[Cheslin] Kolbe’s still got it.”

Kolbe was not necessarily quite at his best, but the 32-year-old still had some fine moments as he continues to shine for the Springboks.

Parsons was joined on the show by Bryn Hall, who plays in Japan and therefore watches him play every week, and the scrum-half believes that he plays better for South Africa than he does for his club.

“Obviously, Cheslin plays in Japan but just doesn’t play anywhere to the level he does for the Springboks. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a very good player, but he just looks way more electric,” Hall said.

Springboks great: Rassie Erasmus is doing things that ‘just wouldn’t have happened’ when I was playing

Springboks’ coaching brilliance

Parsons then chimed back in, praising the South African coaches, and particularly Rassie Erasmus, over their ability to get everyone aligned and play without fear.

“It’s the systems. I’m a big believer that systems suit certain players, and although they look marvellous in one system, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re going to slip into another system,” the former Test hooker said.

“You’ve got to give a lot of credit to the coaching; you see it with the good teams, attacking teams. If you’re fearful of losing your role and you just want to play a solid game, and you don’t have that confidence that your coach is going to support you and have your back if it doesn’t go to plan.

“That mental coaching and empowering is massive; Rassie has changed the game. Tony Brown’s been there from a skill set [point of view], but I think they’ve always had the skill set and now they’re being given the license and I think that’s filtered down through their system.”

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