Erasmus warns All Blacks have more attacking plans to reveal

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus expects New Zealand to maintain their high-tempo, ball-in-hand approach in Saturday’s opening Test of the Greatest Rivalry series, but believes the All Blacks have yet to show the full range of their attacking plans.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Erasmus said New Zealand’s emphasis on intensity and multi-phase rugby was already clear from their public messaging and recent performances. However, he warned that the All Blacks could produce several new tactical variations when the two sides meet at Ellis Park.

“You can see it on social media. They’re advocating a high-intensity, running game, with multi-phase attacks. And when you analyse it, it definitely shows in the stats,” Erasmus noted.

The Springboks coach also praised All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie, recalling his previous experience of coaching against him during his time with Munster, when Rennie was involved with Glasgow.

“Dave (Rennie, All Blacks head coach) is very sharp. I coached against him with Munster against Glasgow. The big battle is going to be when they have the ball, they’ll have total control of what they do with it, and when we have the ball, we’ll have total control of what we do with it. Neither team can tell the other how to use the ball.”

Erasmus believes the contest at the breakdown could have a major influence on the match. He said New Zealand’s physicality in that area would be a particular concern for South Africa, while also highlighting the threat posed by the All Blacks’ attacking kicks.

“What concerns us most is how physical and brutal they are at the breakdown,” said Erasmus.

The Springboks coach expects New Zealand to build patiently through multiple phases before using a precisely timed grubber kick to exploit space behind the defensive line.

“They take the ball through so many phases, and then they put in a well-timed grubber kick, their attacking kicks are as dangerous as when they have ball-in-hand.

“They’ll have plans they didn’t show in the Nations Championship, little things, such as lineout variations, maybe a front peel or back peel move, and there are things that have caught us out before.”

The match is expected to provide a meeting of contrasting styles between the two leading teams in world rugby. Both sides will have control of their own possession, according to Erasmus, but neither will be able to dictate how the opposition uses the ball.

That combination of physical breakdown work, varied set-piece moves and attacking ambition is likely to make the first Test a closely watched contest across the rugby world.

The Greatest Rivalry series begins at Ellis Park on Saturday, with kick-off scheduled for 17:10.