Rassie Erasmus weighs injuries, selection and All Blacks rivalry

The decision comes as the two sides prepare for the first of four Tests in a series that will also visit Cape Town, Johannesburg and Baltimore. 

Erasmus has opted against his usual early-week team announcement, saying the delay is intended to give the All Blacks less time to prepare for the Springboks’ selection. He insists the move is about respecting the quality of the opposition rather than trying to play mind games.

The coach has also narrowed the injury concerns to captain Siya Kolisi and prop Ox Nche, with both players still being assessed ahead of Saturday’s showdown.

"I think the announcement only on Thursday is respect for New Zealand. And knowing how tough this one is going to be, we think the less time they have to prepare for our team, the better," said Erasmus.

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"So it's not an arrogance thing; it's respecting them. In terms of injuries, the only doubtful players are Siya and Ox. I wouldn't say they're still injured; I think it's just niggles. If they get through today, it might be good for us. Apart from that, there's nothing else."

The battle for the number 10 jersey remains one of the biggest selection questions, with Manie Libbok, Handre Pollard and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu all competing for a place. Erasmus has kept the starting combination to himself, but confirmed there will be two fly-halves among the Springboks’ matchday 23.

"I'm going to pick two for this weekend, and they will be announced on Thursday. I am pretty sure during the next four weeks, ending in Baltimore, a four-match series against New Zealand is very long. As you see, both teams have injuries already , so I am pretty sure all three will play."

Erasmus can now finally turn his full attention to the All Blacks after spending much of the build-up focused on the Nations Championship and the Springboks’ immediate fixtures, including their meeting with Argentina. He had previously resisted looking too far ahead, preferring his squad to concentrate on the matches directly in front of them.

With those commitments now behind them, the coach says the focus inside the camp has shifted firmly towards New Zealand and the challenge awaiting them at Ellis Park.

Erasmus expects the four-Test series to bring a level of pressure that is rarely experienced outside a Rugby World Cup. The difference, he explains, is that Rugby's Greatest Rivalry stretches across four separate Tests, while a World Cup knockout match carries an immediate winner-takes-all consequence.

For Erasmus, that extended format creates a different kind of challenge, with every result shaping the bigger picture rather than deciding everything in one afternoon.