Bob Skinstad, who captained South Africa's rugby team, defended coach Rassie Erasmus on Wednesday, arguing that his controversial tactics have earned admiration at home for their innovation. Erasmus has drawn criticism from abroad, including this week when former New Zealand coach Steve Hansen called his late squad changes ahead of the second Test against the All Blacks a "debacle." The Springboks won that Test in Cape Town to square the series at 1-1.
Skinstad, who was part of South Africa's 2007 World Cup-winning team, said Erasmus was "a breath of fresh air" for his approach to protecting players from media scrutiny while finding tactical advantages. He said the coach was among the first to embrace analytics and squad rotation and cited the "bomb squad" strategy of loading the bench with forwards as an example where Erasmus's methods prompted World Rugby to change its laws. "When you're making decisions that have led World Rugby to adapt their laws, then you're innovating," Skinstad said.
Since taking charge in 2017, Erasmus has led South Africa to a home series victory over the British & Irish Lions in 2021, overshadowed by a leaked video in which he criticized Test-match officiating. The Springboks are preparing for a third World Cup title attempt at next year's tournament in Australia.
Skinstad said South Africans valued Erasmus's approach as an expression of ingenuity under pressure. "We have a saying in South Africa: a farmer always makes a plan," he said, referring to improvisation born of necessity. "It's something that everybody feels quite proud of, that innovation."
The third Test between South Africa and New Zealand will be played in Johannesburg on Saturday, with the final game scheduled for Baltimore the following week.
