As the Springboks prepare to face Japan at Wembley, talk of this fixture being a mere warm-up has been swiftly shut down inside the South African camp. While some may have once viewed the match as a gentle start to the end-of-year tour, recent evidence has demanded full respect – and the Boks are giving exactly that.
Two-time World Cup-winning coach Rassie Erasmus is viewed by many as a brilliant innovator – his methods unorthodox and sometimes controversial (if you speak to any non Springbok fan) – however, it is through his brilliance, success, and penchant to go against the grain that he shares a frosty relationship with those in the North, fans and pundits alike.