Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus praised the team’s fighting spirit to beat Italy in their Castle Lager Outgoing Tour Test at the Allianz Stadium in Turin on Saturday, despite receiving an early red card for the second week in a row, and said they are doing everything they can to avoid losing players on the field due to mistakes.
The Boks were reduced to 14 men in the 12th minute when utility forward Franco Mostert received a red card for a dangerous tackle, but they fought through despite both sides receiving further yellow cards in their memorable 32-14 victory against a determined and passionate home side.
Erasmus was visibly frustrated by what transpired with the red card and said, “It is what it is. What I say can’t make a difference. I’m just grateful that we had Ben O’Keeffe on the one side and an experienced referee (in James Doleman).
“I'm not saying it negatively. What I can say is that it’s sad that our captain, who had to make that sacrifice in his 100th game and in this game.”
The Bok coach elaborated: “I always thought we wanted to get to 20-minute red cards, and we have to re-check on that, but it’s not my place to talk about it. However, for a captain to suffer twice in a week for us to win is sad."
“I’m not saying the calls were wrong, but I definitely saw a lot of other shots in the game. By that I’m not criticising, that is life, and once we review the game, we may come to a different conclusion and see that we were totally wrong, and then we have to rectify it.
“We got a red card, and they got a yellow card, which I probably thought was the right call, but losing two locks in two games now for going lower than they can go, it’s tough to understand.
“Again, I’m not saying anyone is wrong, but we don’t know how to coach guys to go lower, especially for a two-meter-tall guy to face someone who is on his knees is tough. And then to play with 13 men, and them with 14 for a while, it was tougher than last week.”
Erasmus said while he was proud of the way the players adapted in the match to get the result and make it three out of three so far on tour, he remained sad for some of the players.
“Yes, we have a way to adapt, but it’s unfair on individuals like Siya and Ben-Jason (Dixon), who received a chance for the first time in a long time,” said Erasmus.
“Everyone, even the players not playing, were making plans, but we are a very proud team in the way we level change and avoid head contact, and we’ve received so many red cards. Makazole Mapimpi and Jasper Wiese both got six-week (suspensions), and we are really trying hard.
“It’s not just them suffering, the game is suffering. That certainly makes us tighter as a team and more desperate, but it doesn’t take the hurt away, even though we got through it. I’m happy with the result, but I’m still sad for the players who have to take the brunt for someone who did something wrong by accident.”