WHILE SOUTH AFRICA have shown an ability to bounce back from pool stage defeats at previous World Cups, former Springbok international Bob Skinstad expects ‘conjuring trickster’ Rassie Erasmus and the Leinster-bound Jacques Nienaber to go all out for victory against Ireland at Stade de France on Saturday.
Back at the 2015 World Cup, South Africa recovered from a shock loss to Japan at the beginning of the tournament to eventually claim third spot overall. Four years later, they made history as the first side to secure the Webb Ellis Cup after losing a pool stage game – defending champions New Zealand getting the better of them in Yokohama with 10 points to spare (23-13).
“I think Erasmus and Nienaber will want to concentrate on winning [this weekend]. They’ll want to make sure that they can find ways to win, but they do know that they have the caveat of having made it through if they potentially don’t have a win in that game. I think they’ll plan for a result that is positive, but they’ll know that they’ve got a backdoor if you like,” Skinstad said of a game that could potentially determine who tops Pool B at the World Cup.
Operating under the dual roles of Director of Rugby and head coach for that 2019 RWC success, Erasmus has since focused on his DoR duties with Nienaber filling the latter position until the end of this World Cup cycle. As someone who has known him for more than two decades, Skinstad is ideally-placed to speak about the highly-respected – and often controversial – Erasmus.
“Rassie is a great guy. He’s a fantastic character, he has always been one. I think he’s a difficult and hardy competitor, but he doesn’t take himself too seriously. Despite what he puts out there in the media. He’s all about the team and achievements. I think my Rassie is the one that you see. The conjuring trickster with a steely reserve that wants to win.”
In the same month (July 2016) that Erasmus first started working on these shores as Munster’s Director of Rugby, his fellow South African Jean Kleyn was added to their senior squad after securing an early release from his contract with Western Province. The towering lock went on to play in Ireland’s pool stage wins over Russia and Samoa at the 2019 World Cup after qualifying to represent them under World Rugby’s residency rule, but subsequently found himself out of the reckoning under Andy Farrell.
However, having gone more than three years without an Irish appearance (that Samoan game on 12 October, 2019 being his most recent outing in green) he was able to switch allegiances back to his country of birth thanks to a new eligibility rule that was first introduced in 2022.
After making four competitive appearances in advance of the tournament, Kleyn played the full 80 minutes in the Springboks’ facile 76-0 triumph over Romania in Bordeaux last Sunday. In addition to endorsing a rule that also sees former All Blacks such as Charles Piutau and Malakai Fekitoa being a part of the Tongan international set-up, Skinstad believes South Africa have recruited a very capable player in the form of Kleyn.
“I was just looking at the Tonga back line the other night and seeing guys that I’ve seen out there doing the Haka and now playing for Tonga, and good on them. The rules are the rules.
“I think he [Kleyn] played quite well actually [against Romania]. He’s fitting in and certainly I think South Africa will be delighted to have a guy of his quality. I’m not sure that he is going to be a starting lock in a team that boasts so many, but maybe with the injury to Eben [Etzebeth] etc he’ll have a chance. Certainly a fantastic rugby player.”
Despite being a part of South Africa’s World Cup winning squad in 2007, Skinstad could also have represented Ireland at international level as his mother hails from Carlingford in Co. Louth.
“Only a couple of streets away from the Kearney family. Rob didn’t believe me. I had to get my Mum to send me a picture of her birth certificate!” Skinstad said of his Irish roots.
Whereas his native country came into this tournament as defending champions, his ancestral homeland has occupied top spot in the world rankings since July of last year. He has been impressed with the way Ireland have gone about their business thus far in convincing victories against Romania and Tonga, but feels this weekend’s fixture will tell a lot about their World Cup prospects.
“I think Ireland have been clinical, as expected. They weren’t even close to being challenged in those games. 82-8 against Romania, it was a training run set-up for them. They’re probably very comfortable with the way they’re playing. They’ve been able to get Johnny [Sexton] back onto the field and Tonga, I think, were a potential banana skin and are for other teams,” Skinstad added.
“They’ve been so in the past and Ireland dispatched them quite easily. I think they’ll be really pleased with that and pleased with their start. Unfortunately, this World Cup is going to be one where we’re not going to know a lot until the big teams have played the big teams, but we’ve certainly seen that they’re purring gently. The engine is purring along nicely.”
Bob Skinstad teamed up with BoyleSports to preview this weekend’s RWC match between Ireland & South Africa. South Africa & Ireland are both 7/4 with BoyleSports. Don’t Just bet…choose wisely.
3 years waiting for this Match,gonna be a cracker
@Shane Brennan: 4 more sleeps…
@Shane Brennan: to be sure
Going perfect for Ireland so far. I believe they will showcase now. We have only got a sneak preview so far. Van Der Flier hasn’t even stretched his legs yet, Aki unstoppable, Sexton absolutely cruising, Hansen special, Beirne killing it, and so on. If SA are not terrified they must be on something. Everything Ireland have been keeping up the sleeve comes out this week. Not gonna be easy but Ireland will get er done. CMON IRELAND.
@David Roche: the boks must be terrified… Can’t make this shite up.. Ha…
@David Roche: wow, dont need to break it to you, but you will be in for a rude awakening come saturday evening. have a bottle of whiskey to hand. might soften tha pain.
@David Roche: oooooh. Gotcha. So easy. Ha ha.
@Stuart: Just as long as you realise that the vast majority of Irish rugby fans who actually follow rugby know precisely what is in store this Saturday.
Anyone on either side who feels they can predict the outcome of this match is not playing with the full deck.
@Stanley Marsh: yes Stanley completely agree which I why both sides have eagerly been awaiting this game for many years now. The implications of who wins is now massive after that france/NZ game (not to say NZ are any pushover)… This is two proper sides going at it for 80 minutes, extremely talented sides. Contrasting styles, absolutely agree how can you call it which is why it gives goosebumps down your back thinking about it…
@Stanley Marsh: that is why I said it will be tough. But to not have the balls to support my team and believe in a win is just not my in me . And I am allowed believe in them just as I did when I was in the Aviva for the grand slam. CMON IRELAND.
@Stuart: I’m an Ireland fan. However, I’d give a slight edge to the Boks though. Most pundits, bookies and analytics seem to be giving it to them. But nobody really knows whats going to happen. An injury or card could completely change how things play out. Most likely scenario is that these two teams will top the pool in whatever order and go on to the Quarter Finals. I think it is mistaken to assume that New Zealand will be a walkover and France unbeatable in either of the QFs though. New Zealand won the Rugby Championship fairly convincingly and I suspect they will have a say in how things pan out.
@Neil “Montyman65” Montgomery: the difference is france are in better form, confidence is high, and with the way the ref’s are so far it’s hard to believe that they will make a 50/50 decision that will cost france. New Zealand on the other hand have lost v the last 2 decent sides they have played and both SA and ireland have beaten them last time out. If the choice is france or NZ, give me NZ any day
@chris mcdonnell: yep would agree 100%
@chris mcdonnell: I think the main advantage of topping the pool isn’t who you get in the quarters, but the confidence you get from topping the pool. This would probably have more value to South Africa as their winning run hasn’t been as long as Ireland’s and they would have beaten the highest ranked team in the World.
@Neil “Montyman65” Montgomery: that’s the worst NZ side in history, I’d be chomping at the bit to get them over a massively confident squad like France on home ground advantage with a packed stadium of alles le bleu fans screaming (not to mention ref and home ground advantage … The boks were experimenting during the championship and turned up the heat against a full strength NZ in that warmup… I’d take them over France any day of the week for that quarter
@David Roche: and they might be on something ya know but ireland are fitter faster and better
@Stuart: ye should be terrified ireland going to win 15 plus
@David Roche: believe in ireland i do we going win
@Niall English: another irish fan not supporting ireland
@Neil “Montyman65” Montgomery: new zealand is a scary prospect for anyone on there day they can destroy ireland SA anyone
@Stanley Marsh: and whats that?
@David Roche: have no problem with you supporting your team and expressing confidence etc but keep the comments real and based on facts. SA are a seriously good team and posting silly comments is disrespectful to them their supporters and genuine irish followers, not to mention your own credibility. I hope ireland win, but can’t call it, will have to see what unfolds on the night.
@Sèan: quite the contrary. i am an irish fan and will be cheering them on with all my heart. my heart wants ireland to win but my head tells me SA will win cosily enough. whilst ireland are number 1 (same as last world cup) there have been caveats with our wins the past year, and to say we are playing well is false.
@Niall English: Agree Niall, think ireland need another game or two to get fully up to speed. Am hoping we win on the night, but could see SA stifling us on the night with their power game. Having said that, every time I doubt this current irish team, they have always proved me wrong, here’s hoping they do so again.
@Niall English: this is a different ireland mate im 100 percent confident
Dont see anything wrong with his post love his confidence
I might be the only one here who wants to play france in the last 8 new zealand still scare me
A bit off topic, would this be the biggest viewed event in tv ratings for the year so far on Saturday night?
@Stuart: id say so 8pm prime time
Bobby is not to clued up on Rassie’s history. For one I sat behind Rassie in the third Irish test in 2016 at Ellis Park when he was flying out to Munster the next morning. He was so Gatvol (ask an S.A mate) of S.A and S.A Rugby that he was forced into the Munster job. His 5 year plan was to be successful with Munster and get the a shot at the Ireland coaching job after Joe was finished. He wanted nothing more than to get into the faces of S.A Rugby for ignoring him once again for the Springbok job!!
I suggest that all references to France or NZ be suspended until pool is over. Three of the top five sides fighting for 2 places. Nothing can be taken for granted until it can. Ireland and SA are favorites which is different from being qualified. A lot of water to flow before QF kick in.