
JOHANNESBURG – Rassie Erasmus admitted his South Africa side have much to work on following their opening 35-17 Rugby Championship success against Australia at Ellis Park on Saturday.
The Springbok coach gambled with an experimental side as he sent 13 players to New Zealand this week ahead of their clash in Wellington on July 27, with most considered first-choice selections.
That meant there were first test appearances in four years for scrumhalf Cobus Reinach and loose-forward Marcell Coetzee, and debuts for flanker Rynhard Elstadt, prop Lizo Gqoboka and number nine Herschel Jantjies.
The Boks looked rusty and disjointed at times, especially in defence, but still managed to outscore their opponents five tries to two, with the impressive Jantjies stealing the show with a brace.
"A few guys certainly put their hands up for World Cup selection and although there was some rustiness and all our combinations weren’t settled, we are still happy with the win," Erasmus told reporters.