Rassie Erasmus has highlighted the importance of the Tests against France and Ireland on next month’s European tour.
Rassie Erasmus has highlighted the importance of the Tests against France and Ireland on next month’s European tour.
he Springbok coach says the blockbuster clashes in Paris and Dublin will serve as “[World Cup] semi-final and final” style encounters – a yardstick of where the world champions stand as the 2025 season draws to a close.
The Springboks will face Japan, France, Italy, Ireland and Wales on consecutive weekends next month, in what Erasmus describes as one of the team’s most demanding tours in recent years.
Those matches could be like a semi-final and final situation, to see if we can be successful on the year-end tour,” Erasmus said.
The Bok boss says these Tests will be used to see how his players adapt to highly pressurised match environments which they’re likely to face at the 2027 World Cup in Australia
Erasmus, however, isn’t looking too far ahead, insisting that his focus remains on the 2025 campaign before shifting his attention to the next global showpiece.
“It is still a long way off,” he added. “I want to get through this year first, then maybe next year start looking towards the World Cup.”
Erasmus acknowledged that the upcoming trip would be a serious examination of the team’s depth, especially given the calibre and form of their opponents.
“It’s a longer tour than usual and we are facing top-class opposition, but we are looking forward to it,” said Erasmus.
“Ireland and France are currently ranked third and fourth in the world, while Italy, Wales, and Japan are in 10th, 12th and 13th place, and we’ve seen in the last few years that you cannot write off any team.
“Ireland and France are always tough opposition, and they both won four out of their five Six Nations matches, with France emerging as the eventual champions, and we know how challenging it is to beat them both at home.”
The Springboks’ tour begins against Japan at Wembley Stadium on 1 November, before travelling to Paris, Turin, Dublin and Cardiff in what Erasmus describes as a crucial test of consistency.
“We have delivered a few good performances but also a few disappointing ones this season, so this will be a good opportunity to test ourselves and see if we can build consistency from week to week,” he said. “That said, it is going to take a massive effort, and we are excited about the tour.”
