The expectation of wet weather in Cape Town led Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus to reshuffle his front row at the last minute, he said after South Africa’s 33-26 win over New Zealand at Cape Town Stadium, which levelled the series 1-1.
Pick driven by conditions and player load management
Erasmus told the media that forecasts during the week indicated rain and heavier conditions, and that influenced the selectors’ decision to start with a heavier front row. Deon Fourie started at hooker in place of Malcolm Marx, while Gerhard Steenekamp and Thomas du Toit were promoted to the run‑on side.
“We thought it was going to be wet and that’s why we picked the front row [we did on Monday],” Erasmus said.
He said the plan always involved using two front rows during the match, but the perceived conditions for the first half led them to favour a heavier set‑up early on. Erasmus also stressed that rotation was a key consideration to keep the pack effective over the course of the game and across the tour.
Minutes, age and managing fatigue
Player workload over the recent matches featured in Erasmus’s explanation. He pointed to captain Siya Kolisi’s limited minutes across the tour and the need to manage his energy in a short window of fixtures. Erasmus noted Deon Fourie’s age and recent playing time as part of the calculus: Fourie, 39, started at hooker and has been used intermittently across the series.
To illustrate the selection thinking, Erasmus gave a few examples of minutes played by key forwards in recent Tests. He said Fourie had accumulated 65 minutes against the All Blacks across six weeks, and that his minutes made him susceptible to fatigue late in the match. Erasmus added that Fourie missed a tackle when New Zealand scored one of their tries, an indication the coaches use when deciding when to replace players.
About Ox Nché, Erasmus said his recent minutes had varied sharply: in one match he had played only eight minutes, then 45 minutes the following week; and in the first game of the series he had not started but played 55 minutes. Erasmus used these examples to show why rotation and timely substitutions matter if players become less productive on the field.
What this means for fans and weekend plans
For supporters attending matches or planning around fixtures, the comments underline how the weather forecast can affect team tactics and match flow. In practical terms:
- Expect heavier packs and more forward play in wet or soft conditions, which can result in tighter, lower‑scoring periods.
- Allow extra time for travel to stadiums during wet weather, as traffic and public transport can slow.
- Dress for rain and cool temperatures when attending late‑winter Tests in Cape Town; bring waterproof clothing and an umbrella.
The coach’s remarks also serve as a reminder that selection decisions are often multifactorial: they balance immediate match conditions, the opposition’s strengths, and the longer‑term management of player fitness across a condensed schedule.
| Player | Minutes cited by Erasmus |
|---|---|
| Siya Kolisi | 50 minutes (current tour total for a single outing, as cited) |
| Deon Fourie | 65 minutes across six weeks (against the All Blacks) |
| Ox Nché | 8 minutes (one match); 45 minutes (following match); 55 minutes (first game) |
Match conditions can change rapidly, and coaches frequently adjust their plans in response. Erasmus said the team would monitor player productivity on the field and replace individuals the moment they ceased to contribute effectively.
Supporters should therefore expect coaches to continue factoring weather into selection and substitution strategies, particularly in cities such as Cape Town where winter weather can alter playing surfaces and ball handling dynamics within hours.
Practical advice: if you are attending a match in uncertain weather, wear waterproof footwear, carry layers for wind and cooler temperatures, and check transport updates before leaving home. Those watching at home should be aware that a wet pitch often means more scrums and breakdowns, and potentially a different style of play than on a dry surface.
By linking selection to the forecast, Erasmus highlighted the close connection between meteorology and match tactics at the highest level of rugby.
