Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus has returned fire following Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt’s assessment that the Springboks often get the rub of the green with match officials.
Speaking ahead of the team’s upcoming Rugby Championship clash in Brisbane, Schmidt referenced South Africa’s recent drawn home test series against Ireland. Praising the Springboks, Schmidt said, “South Africa, they look pretty impressive. The level and intensity of that Irish series, it was entertaining.”
Shifting his focus to a particularly controversial moment in the first test between the two sides, Schmidt took a slight dig at the Boks saying, “There was a bit of controversy with James Lowe’s try being disallowed. It’s not the first time for South Africa, they tend to get a bit of luck from that perspective.
“They don’t need too much luck to fall their way, they make a lot of their own luck with the quality of player and the connectedness they have.”
Returning serve, Erasmus who is not afraid to stir the pot ahead of fixtures got a sly dig back at his upcoming opponent.
“I know Joe very well, he’s a real old school coach. He’s disciplined.
“I believe he’s going to put pressure on the new players, on the old players, and on the referees. He’s a very good, hard-working coach, who knows what he wants.” Erasmus said of Schmidt before discussing Schmidt’s rub of the green comment.
“We all know that’s not true, that’s not the case with South Africa, and I think it’s not going to work with Luke Pearce.
“He’s an experienced referee, and he won’t fall for something like that, and we all know that it’s definitely not true that we get a rub of the green. I mean, Ireland won 17 games in a row. I think they got some green rub too!
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