Just two changes to the Springbok team that beat France last week was the latest indicator of Scotland’s rising status in the global game as they prepare to do battle with the South Africans for a place in the top five of the world rankings.
Gone, it would seem, are the days of a visit to Edinburgh being considered a pleasant diversion from the serious business of touring Europe at this time of year, as visiting coach Rassie Erasmus acknowledged.
“I wouldn’t say we as players and coaches always felt it when we played them (but) I think the natural feeling outside the team, from media, from fans, would be that it should be a walkover in the past, but now we all agree with you guys that we’re not sure who’s going to win this game on Saturday and I think that is well done by Scotland for a country with the amount of professional players they have,” he said, after calling scrum-half Embrose Papier and lock RG Snyman into the starting XV.
Kind words from a citizen of the country Gregor Townsend had described the previous day as the friendliest he has visited in his time in the sport and even when reminded of his perfect record against Scotland’s head coach - four out of four in the Champions Cup and Pro12 when his Munster side beat Glasgow Warriors a couple of seasons ago - Erasmus was generosity itself.
“I think the points difference in those four games is three! All of them could have gone against us,” he observed. “And look at the record at Murrayfield, winning nine out of the last ten, giving Australia 50, beating England proper, smashing teams… then going away to beat Argentina well on the road.We know what we’re in for, a tough, tough game. The era who are currently watching rugby, they won’t remember me playing and most won’t remember Gregor playing. It’s too far back, but I certainly remember Gregor playing. I remember him well, I’ve played against him and coached against him. The people who were around in that era would know what a wonderful player he was and they can see the results he’s getting with Scotland, what he did with Glasgow. It’s tough coaching against him and he is real quality. With the amount of players Scotland have, to be doing what they’re doing, it’s well done.”
Nor was there any resentment of the fact that one of the ways Scotland is supplementing its resources is by being among several nations who are recruiting South African born or raised players.
“We’ve got a lot of players playing abroad, I think it’s 500 or 450 or something, so I just think that’s the way the modern game goes,” said Erasmus.
“If a guy like that doesn’t get the opportunity in South Africa, it’s wonderful for him to play for another country. We’re chuffed for them. I was the guy who signed WP Nel for Western Province when he was a club player, so I know his talent… we know most of them and they’re good chaps and they deserve a chance and they deserve to play international rugby. Good for them.”
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