Rugby World Cup 2019: Erasmus’ development of Springboks makes Habana optimistic

Rassie Erasmus’ tremendous development of the South Africa squad has made Bryan Habana extremely optimistic about their Rugby World Cup hopes.

Former Stormers and Munster boss Erasmus in March 2018 took over from Allister Coetzee, whose dismal spell at the helm included 11 wins in 25 Tests and the Springboks’ heaviest loss – a 57-0 drubbing at the hands of New Zealand in the 2017 Rugby Championship.

Coetzee was appointed in 2016 and in his first year suffered eight defeats in 12 Tests.

Although Erasmus lost his first match at the helm, he engineered a series success against England and ended a nine-year wait for an away victory against New Zealand in 2018.

The Springboks head into the World Cup undefeated this year and having won the Rugby Championship for the first time since 2009.

“Given that 2016, 2017 [were] pretty disappointing years, 2018 – Rassie’s first year in charge – also only a 50 per cent win ratio, a really poor Super Rugby season for all of the South African sides, so going into this Rugby Championship, [there was] a lot of uncertainty,” Habana told Omnisport, speaking on behalf of Land Rover, Official Worldwide Partner of Rugby World Cup 2019.

“Fast forward four weeks post the start of that championship and I think the optimism, the positivity and excitement around this Springboks side leading into a World Cup is absolutely incredible, and justifiably so given that they’ve gone out and won a Rugby Championship for the first time since 2009.

“It’s the first time since 98 that they’ve gone unbeaten in the competition, albeit a shortened competition. They’ve really come to the fore in a massive way over the last month and a half, and what has been even more brilliant to see is that a year ago you didn’t really know who your 31, 23, or even starting 15 were, given that you’re not quite sure what the talent was.

“All of a sudden, Rassie’s conundrum of having to choose only 31 players going into the this World Cup was a fantastic one to be in, given that development from a squad perspective that he’s been able to achieve over the last 18 or so months.

“It all bodes really well in a World Cup that is probably going to be the most unique we’ve ever, ever seen. Unique by the fact that the top six teams realistically go into this competition with a pretty decent chance of winning it, realistically.”

A rivalry we respect, see you Saturday @AllBlacks
#StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/HNmYwGoYhd

— Springboks (@Springboks) September 17, 2019

A late draw against the All Blacks was key to the Springboks’ Rugby Championship triumph and they begin their campaign in Japan against the two-time defending champions in Yokohama on Saturday.

Habana said: “I don’t think it’s just the draw that will be fresh in South Africa’s mind. I think the win in Wellington in the Rugby Championship last year, the first time a South African side has ever gone to Wellington and scored five tries against a New Zealand outfit, to then win it for the first time since ’98 in Wellington was incredibly special.

“I think they’ll take a lot of confidence out of that going into what is almost a decider against New Zealand because [over] the last three games everything is all equal – they’ve both won one, lost one and then drawn one. The points difference is zero at the moment.

“What an epic game to start out a brilliant tournament against the number one side in the world, the current reigning champion of the tournament.

“The South African side will be able to go into that game with an incredible amount of confidence, knowing what they’ve achieved against New Zealand in the last 12 months.”

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