Rassie Erasmus said that Asenathi Ntlabakanye was identified as a player of potential, looking to the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
"We do have succession planning in place, and Asenathi was a player that we identified as a player of potential and decided to work with. We had a programme we gave to him then, but it didn’t succeed. However, we don’t ever give up on a player that has proper talent."
"When we started looking at him two years ago and we started tracking his actual tackle stats, it’s up there with the other guys. We then got him in with the help of Rudolf Straeuli and the Emirates Lions, and we said we’ve got to get this right."
"He went a few times up to Daan’s farm and stayed there for a week, and Daan worked with him really well, with the Lions coach and CEO’s blessing, and whenever there was a break, he drove to the farm."
"I don’t want to go into specifics, but we have done this with players before. About three or four of them. Front row players, specifically because we struggle to give the personal attention that those guys might need when we are in an alignment camp. Asenathi started benefitting from his visits to Daan, and the last three weeks would have benefited him even more."
"He’s dropped 15 to 18kgs and let’s hope he can do what he does at Test match level, which will be great."
"He’s a phenomenal player, and has got the talent, it’s the moment he understands that there’s a helluva lot to work still to be done, to be a part of the Boks at this stage and take over from the world’s No. 1 tighthead."
"Frans Malherbe is not a front-page model but is considered one of the best in the world in his position. Asenathi is also not the most athletic guy, but he has an excellent feel for the game. It is the same with Ox; he has an unbelievable feel for the game."
"Franna is unfortunately out for a pretty long time. All of a sudden, your number one No. 3 is unavailable. Franna can play! He’s solid in the scrum, gets up and makes his tackles."