South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus may have been exaggerating when he said defeat to the All Blacks on Saturday could have him fired but the comments underscored how desperate the Springboks are to be competitive at the World Cup.
Erasmus was given a six-year contract last year to rebuild the fallen heavyweights but defeats in the last two Rugby Championship tests by Australia and Argentina have put him under pressure.
For all the pledges of support from the South Africa Rugby Union, that pressure will only ease with a strong showing against the champion All Blacks at Wellington Regional Stadium.
“The moment you beat New Zealand in New Zealand you’re back to where you want to be and your planning is on track and you can tell yourself you’re really contenders at a World Cup,” Erasmus told reporters on Thursday.
“That’s how we see it.”
With South Africa drawn in the same World Cup group with New Zealand for the first time, and their pool B opener in Yokohama just over a year away, little wonder Erasmus is looking ahead.
He named a strong starting side for Saturday’s clash, restoring Handre Pollard to the pivotal outhalf role and Malcolm Marx as starting hooker.
Elton Jantjies and Bongi Mbonambi, who both started in the 23-18 loss to the Wallabies in Brisbane last week, have been dropped to the bench.
“It’s going to be an uphill battle against a team who is number one in the world, who dictate almost every facet of the game,” Erasmus said.
“But this team is pretty much our strongest available . . . I really think after this game we will know where we stand.”
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen also recalled several first-choice players after some of his less experienced squad members beat the Pumas 46-24 in Nelson last week.
He bulked up his loose forwards with Sam Cane and Liam Squire returning, while first choice halfbacks Aaron Smith and Beauden Barrett were also recalled.
Hansen's midfield combination has again been reshuffled with Ryan Crotty returning after he recovered from a nasty head clash with Jack Goodhue in the first game against Australia.
Crotty has had a litany of head injuries in the last two years and concerns had been raised about his health, but the 29-year-old said he had convinced not only the doctors but also his mother and sister.
“I’ve had to convince them (I’m) all right so, no, they’re fine and they’re excited that I’m back out there,” Crotty said of his family.
“Honestly, there’s no stone left unturned around head injuries these days, so the diligence around that gives you confidence.”
SOUTH AFRICA: Willie le Roux; Jesse Kriel, Lukhanyo Am, Damien de Allende, Aphiwe Dyantyi; Handre Pollard, Faf de Klerk; Steven Kitshoff, Malcolm Marx, Frans Malherbe; Eben Etzebeth, Franco Mostert; Siya Kolisi (capt), Pieter-Steph du Toit, Warren Whiteley.
Replacements: Bongi Mbonambi, Tendai Mtawarira, Wilco Louw, RG Snyman, Francois Louw, Ross Cronje, Elton Jantjies, Cheslin Kolbe.
NEW ZEALAND: Jordie Barrett; Ben Smith, Anton Lienert-Brown, Ryan Crotty, Rieko Ioane; Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith; Karl Tu'inukuafe, Codie Taylor, Owen Franks; Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett; Liam Squire, Sam Cane, Kieran Read (capt).
Replacements: Liam Coltman, Tim Perry, Ofa Tuungafasi, Patrick Tuipulotu, Ardie Savea, TJ Perenara, Jack Goodhue, Damian McKenzie.
