Springboks: Rassie Erasmus’ selection gamble backed by Breyton Paulse after 43 players used

Paulse hails Erasmus’ bold rotation as World Cup planning intensifies

Rassie Erasmus’ decision to use 43 players in South Africa’s home Nations Championship campaign has been endorsed as “exactly the right” call by former Springbok wing Breyton Paulse, who says the world champions are “in a good place” ahead of next year’s Rugby World Cup.

Erasmus, returning to the head coach role, has shuffled his squad extensively during Tests against England, Scotland and Wales, handing opportunities to a raft of emerging players in what he views as a crucial depth-building phase.

“I think we are in a good place,” Paulse told KickOff Rugby.

“Everybody can see it, and we are well on our way to creating the depth needed for the World Cup next year.

“I think that’s what Rassie had to do.”

Scotland clash ‘biggest test’ of new-look Boks

Paulse highlighted the tense win over Scotland in the Nations Championship as the most searching examination yet of Erasmus’ selection strategy and the newer faces in the squad.

“I think the biggest test was Scotland, and the boys showed real character to come through that because, at times, it looked really, really dangerous with Scotland putting the Boks under pressure.”

The Springbok front row, in particular, was central to grinding out the result, as South Africa weathered long periods of Scottish momentum before closing out the match.

The former winger believes those pressure moments are invaluable for players on the fringes of selection, with Erasmus intent on ensuring there are reliable alternatives in every position by the time the World Cup kicks off.

Established stars set to return for All Blacks series

Despite backing the broader rotation policy, Paulse expects Erasmus to restore his core leadership group and senior combinations for the upcoming Greatest Rivalry Series against New Zealand.

“A lot of the other guys, like Eben Etzebeth and Lood de Jager, will obviously be back for the massive All Blacks Tests that are coming up.

“And I suppose Siya will also be ready. He’ll probably get a chance to play against Argentina in the warm-up Test for the series on 8 August.”

The anticipated return of captain Siya Kolisi, alongside seasoned forwards such as Etzebeth and De Jager, is likely to see a more familiar Springbok line-up take the field against the All Blacks, with Erasmus expected to balance form, fitness and experience.

Depth the priority as World Cup countdown continues

Erasmus’ approach during the Nations Championship has underlined his determination to avoid over-reliance on a small core of players, instead spreading game time across the wider squad. With several youngsters already exposed to high-intensity Test rugby, the Springboks are building competition for places in multiple positions.

Paulse believes that, with less than a year to go before the World Cup, Erasmus has judged the timing of his experimentation correctly – using the Nations Championship to stretch his squad, before tightening selection for marquee clashes against New Zealand and the build-up Tests that follow.

For now, the message from one of South Africa’s former stars is clear: the Springboks’ aggressive drive for depth is not a risk, but a necessary step if they are to defend their world title.