WeeklySA_AdminEUPHORIA: Rassie Erasmus says the Springboks’ 43-28 victory over New Zealand in Baltimore was inspired by supporters at the stadium and millions watching from home…
By WSAM Sports Correspondent
The Springboks dedicated their historic series triumph over New Zealand to South Africans around the world after defeating the All Blacks 43-28 in Baltimore.
The world champions scored six tries to four to secure the inaugural Castle Double Malt Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry title and complete a 3-1 series victory over their fiercest rivals.
More than 68 000 spectators packed the stadium, setting a United States rugby attendance record. Many in the crowd were expatriate South Africans who transformed the venue into a sea of green and gold.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus said the passionate support provided another reminder of why the team plays the game.
“It was awesome to see so many South Africans here; I don’t know how they afford it or how they got here, but it’s great,” Erasmus said.
We don’t forget the people who were at home — the people on the farm, the boy in the township or the people in the shopping mall. That’s what drives us
— Rassie Erasmus
“We appreciate the people who were here, but we don’t forget the people who were at home; the people on the farm or the boy in the township or the people in the shopping mall. That’s what drives us.
“Obviously, we want to win and that’s great for us as a team and that’s why we play rugby, but we want them to be happy.”
The victory reinforced South Africa’s status as the world’s top-ranked team and added another significant achievement to the record of the back-to-back world champions.
Erasmus acknowledged that the Springboks’ approach sometimes irritates opponents and supporters elsewhere, but insisted that every decision taken by the team is rooted in its commitment to South Africa.
“I know we sometimes annoy other people around the world for the way we go about things, or the angle we take on issues, but we really care the most about South African people,” he said.
“We enjoy the other people around the world, and we understand their opinions and love the banter, but there’s only one reason for us as a team and for us as a country — it’s for South Africa.”
Captain Siya Kolisi echoed those sentiments, saying the backing the Boks receive both at home and abroad remains central to the team’s motivation.
“The support is really special for us — that’s who we do it for; the people who can afford to come here and those who are at home,” Kolisi said.
A lengthy stoppage caused by problems with the referee’s audio equipment gave the players time to absorb the atmosphere created by the singing crowd.
“We were still in the zone, but in that moment, you get to appreciate the crowd singing and enjoying the environment,” Kolisi said. “Hopefully, we made it special for them.”
Despite the final 15-point margin, the contest remained finely balanced until the final quarter. Erasmus cautioned against interpreting the scoreline as evidence of a significant gap between the two rugby powers.
“I wouldn’t say we were the better team today,” he said. “At 60 minutes the game was still in the balance. We appreciate that we won, but the margin between us and New Zealand is very small.”
The intensity of the rivalry gave way to mutual respect after the final whistle when players from both teams gathered in prayer.
Kolisi said the moment reflected the relationship between the Springboks and All Blacks, whose battles on the field have long been accompanied by respect away from it.
“We came together to thank each other,” he said. “We go hard against each other, but we get along off the field.
“The way the New Zealanders came to our country and embraced our country, and the way they gave themselves to people in our country — we came together to thank them for that.
“It’s tough that one team has to win and one team has to lose, but we know we are going to see each other again.”
