Rassie Erasmus responds to Fabien Galthie’s claim that the Springboks are the ‘best team ever’
Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus and an inset of France boss Fabien Galthie.
Rassie Erasmus has responded to Fabien Galthie’s glowing praise of the Springboks, hoping that the French coach is being ‘honest’.
Les Bleus host the double World Cup champions for the first time since the Boks secured a one-point victory in the 2023 quarter-final, and Galthie has made no secret as to how highly he rates the men in Green and Gold.
“We’re very proud of taking on this massive challenge,” Galthie said. “They’re maybe the best team ever.”
Rassie’s response
It’s a big claim from the former World Rugby Player of the Year and one that Erasmus hopes he is sincere about.
“Well, if it’s honest, then it’s a nice thing to say,” the Springboks boss quipped.
Erasmus was still wary that Galthie may have used the line to release some of the pressure on his own players and responded by heaping praise on the French, who South Africa have beaten eight times in their nine meetings.
While that record is quite comprehensive, it’s worth noting that each of the last three wins have come by margins of just three points or fewer.
“If he wants to take the pressure off them and put it on, I also understand that,” the former back-rower who takes the Bok head coach reins for the 50th time this weekend added.
“All of those things count in a game, but we know if we take it our guys man-for-man with theirs and everybody plays to the best of their ability, this game is in the balance on both sides.”
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Erasmus further noted similarities between to the two teams and how Galthie is attempting to build squad depth in the same manner as him.
“Antoine Dupont isn’t here, but we know the quality of Maxime Lucu, who is coming off the bench and even Baptiste Serin, who didn’t make the team,” he said.
“Their squad depth, and what they did when they sent a team to New Zealand and what they are building there – it’s very much what we’re trying to do with bringing youngsters through.
“So, it’s a nice compliment, but those guys who are playing here tomorrow, they won’t believe that we’re the best team in the world. They will go out there and try to beat us proper.
“So, appreciate what he’s saying, but we will keep the reality in our mind.”
Fired up French
Meanwhile, starting scrum-half Cobus Reinach echoed the sentiments of his teammates as South Africa prepare to tackle a fired-up and emotional French team still hurting from exiting at their home World Cup at the quarter-final stage.
“They are going to be charged. They haven’t forgotten about the 2023 World Cup, and we haven’t forgotten about it either,” the 35-year-old said.
“It’s a rugby game which we all look back on. We all learn from it and try to use it to prepare for the following game. So, yes, they’re going to be charged up, but their emotion and what they have in their camp, like Rassie said, cannot affect us; it cannot affect the way we prepare for the game and how we put together our plan on the field.
“We know they are going to come at us physically, and we are ready for it.
“It’s not rocket science what is going to happen out there; it’s going to be a huge battle.”
