WHEN the Springboks and All Blacks lock horns at Ellis Park on Saturday (5pm start), it will be the beginning of a new chapter of a rivalry between Rassie Erasmus and Scott Robertson that has been so close, you would battle to fit a razor blade between it.
Both played flank for their countries, they are both in their 50s (Erasmus 51, Robertson 50), and six foot three inches (1.92m) in height.
Erasmus played for the Boks from 1997-2001 and Robertson for the All Blacks from 1998-2002.
They also played against each other in Super Rugby – Erasmus for the Cats, Robertson for the Crusaders.
Erasmus won three of the five Tests he played against New Zealand, and Roberson had the same win record against the Boks, also in five Tests.
Little wonder Erasmus said earlier this week that he and Robertson knew each other’s rugby philosophies inside out.
But Saturday will be the first time they have coached against each other.
“Razor and I are the same age... We played our Test matches against each other and many a Super Rugby game,” the Springbok coach said.
“We have discussed rugby over a few beers on many an occasion. I feel I know what is coming from him on Saturday, and I can tell you this is going to be one heck of a tough match.”
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Erasmus pointed out that Robertson won’t be intimidated by the ‘Ellis Park factor’ in the slightest.
“He knows the stadium really well – he coached the Crusaders to a Super Rugby title there (in 2017).”
Erasmus said that too much has been made of the All Blacks losing 38-30 to Argentina in Wellington a month ago.
“The best coaches in the world will be unsettled when they come into a new job and the team has lost a nucleus of great players.
“New Zealand have too much class all around; they have too good a coaching system and too good structures in their game for them to not bounce back quickly.
“The luxury of people pulling together for one team"🥹
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“If we switch off for a moment on Saturday, they will hurt us.
“(Damian) McKenzie will do something special, or TJ Perenara will catch you out with a quick tap, and they have a pack of forwards that we found tough to move around in the (2023) World Cup final.
“We have played 10 matches (since 2018) and there has been one draw, four losses for them, and five wins for us. All the games have had only a few points between the sides. That tells you Saturday will be no different.”