Fine margins, says he.
Ireland and South Africa both emptied themselves into the task of winning a Test match, at Aviva Stadium, on Saturday night. Rassie Erasmus was watching closely, as was the person that supplies him with video edits to share on his social media channels.
The reigning world champions, who were fortunate to only have Cheslin Kolbe yellow-carded for a dump tackle on Mack Hansen, held Ireland at 6-6 after 40 minutes but conceded second half tries to Hansen and Josh van der Flier, as well as a match-clinching Johnny Sexton penalty.
As with every tight-run affair, big decisions and refereeing calls are parsed over ands analysed to the nth degree. It has been no different with Springbok management, pundits, their media and their supporters.
Down in South Africa, one headline screamed – Blatant errors and home-town calls from referee but Springboks had enough chances to beat Ireland. In the article, Ashfak Mohamed wrote:
‘Nika Amashukeli won’t be the most popular person in South African rugby circles anytime soon after making a number of blunders in the Springboks’ 19-16 loss to Ireland in Dublin, on Saturday night, that proved costly in the end.’
One rugby fan went even further, compiling a five-minute video – entitled Dear World Rugby… WTF Did We Just Watch???. It contained all the calls they felt went in Ireland’s favour.
Rassie Erasmus has his say
Following the 19-16 defeat for his side, South Africa’s director of rugby, Rassie Erasmus paid credit to Ireland, and their supporters.
The former Munster head coach, and DOR, then reverted back to something he leaned on during the British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa – sharing edited together video footage that shows his team getting the hard shakes.
‘Tough test match, thanks for all the support from South Africa. Also, thanks to the Ireland supporters at the Aviva – you definitely understand the game and its great to play in an atmosphere like yesterday!
‘Surely was a game of big battles, but small margins.’
Accompanying that final sentence was a finger pointing down to a video clip that saw Ireland benefit from a kick-through at a ruck, from Dan Sheehan, while a similar kick from South Africa was called back by the referee:
Tough test match, thanks for all the support from 🇿🇦, also thanks to the Ireland supporters at the Aviva, you definetly understand the game and its great to play in an atmosphere like yesterday ! Surely was a game of big battles,but small margins 👇🏿 pic.twitter.com/Jcjci2Jlvo
— Rassie Erasmus (@RassieRugby) November 6, 2022
That edited clip makes a valid point, but one could easily argue that a package put together by someone with an Irish bent could tell an entirely different story.
Rassie Erasmus was suspended from all rugby activities, last year, for a couple of months after his behaviour towards match officials, which included sharing video compilations (replete with commentary of errors) among those connected with the Springboks.
Erasmus was given warning as to his future conduct and told he must apologise to the relevant match officials.
Related stories:
- Full Ireland player ratings as world champions South Africa outgunned in thriller
- Cheslin Kolbe gets away with one after dangerous dump tackle on Mack Hansen
- “Ireland are the team that can put South Africa back in their box” – Stephen Ferris
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