Justin Marshall: Rassie Erasmus to influence Dave Rennie ‘quite a lot’ as Springboks look to make another ‘statement’
All Blacks boss Dave Rennie at a press conference and Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus.
Justin Marshall believes that Rassie Erasmus’ full-bore selection will determine how Dave Rennie approaches the final Springboks v All Blacks clash.
South Africa’s head coach has opted to make just two changes – one of those injury-enforced – for their encounter in Baltimore.
Rassie rotation
Erasmus is never afraid to rotate, even in the biggest Tests, but he has generally opted for continuity over the past few weeks.
It paid off in the Cape Town and Soweto matches, with the Boks claiming successive victories to go 2-1 up.
They are looking to secure a series triumph this weekend in the only game which will be taking place on neutral territory.
Marshall was duly asked, on Sport Nation, how much Rennie would be influenced by Erasmus’ selection this weekend; he responded: “Quite a lot.”
The former scrum-half then added: “If I’m Rassie Erasmus, why would I give Dave Rennie and the All Blacks a bone? At the moment, they are leading this series and why would they give them any sniff of an opportunity by making dramatic changes and changing combinations that are working really well for them?
“The whole chat throughout this Test series has been about the fact that this is the greatest rivalry; this is the best two teams in the world going at each other with everything they’ve got.
“No one wants to take a backwards step and nobody’s said that much either and nobody’s used excuses. Look, there’s been some crap floating around about the scrums, that always happens when you’re scrummaging against the Springboks.
“Apart from that, the camaraderie, the respect off the field has been there big time but, again, it’s all about making statements on the rugby field and I wasn’t surprised to see Rassie not really make any changes.”
All Blacks injuries
The Springboks certainly have the momentum while the All Blacks have been hit by injuries to key players.
That includes captain Ardie Savea and two star performers in 2026, Luke Jacobson and Quinn Tupaea, who will all miss the contest in the USA.
South Africa therefore sense an opportunity to ram home their advantage, according to Marshall, but the All Blacks great insists that the New Zealand players should be inspired by that approach.
“He’s got his foot on the throat at the moment; he will want to keep it there. That’s their DNA, that’s the way they operate, so no let-off for the All Blacks,” he added.
“That’s why you put the boots on; ‘righto, you’re not buttoning off, neither are we let’s go. We can actually come out of this series with a draw and you’re no better than us.’ I go, ‘righto that’s the challenge I want as a player and an All Black and an All Black coach’.”
