Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus says he is happy that South African-born duo Allan Dell and WP Nel have worked their way into the Scotland Test team.
The Springboks take on Scotland at Murrayfield in Edinburgh on Saturday and are set to square off against compatriots Dell, Nel and Josh Strauss, who are all in the hosts’ squad.
When probed on what the Boks’ motivation will be when they line up against fellow South Africans, Erasmus explained that there will be no added incentive because of that link.
‘I’m impressed with both of them [Nel and Dell]. I know WP really well from our Western Province days and what they’ve done is just like CJ Stander did in Ireland. It’s a trend that that’s the way world rugby is going to go,’ Erasmus said.
‘I’m very happy for them. We’d like to beat them, but they are friends of ours. We don’t hate them.’
Erasmus added that his previous experiences of coaching against Scotland boss Gregor Townsend have taught him to be wary of the hosts this coming weekend.
‘Gregor Townsend is someone I coached against four times in a season and none of them were easy games,’ Erasmus said. ‘I know how he coaches, his style his definitely about producing a fit and well-organised team – a team that can test you in all facets of the game. I’ve coached against him a lot to know this is going to be a tough Test.’
The Bok coach believes Scotland are not like the traditional European sides and likened their approach to southern hemisphere teams.
‘Scotland very much have a Super Rugby style of play, a southern hemisphere style of play. They are tactically very good, but are not afraid to attack from anywhere on the field. I think [playing against Scotland] this week is going to be totally different from our previous matches against England and France.’
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