Director of rugby in South Africa, Rassie Erasmus, has warned the rugby world not to write off Italy ahead of their crunch Rugby World Cup Pool A clash with hosts France this week.
Coach Kieran Crowley’s Azzurri were humiliated by a rampant New Zealand 96-17 in their last clash, but are still alive in the competition and could even knock out Les Bleus in Lyon on Friday according to Erasmus.
He explains: “We [the Springboks] have got two weeks off where we can analyse all three teams that we can possibly play [in the quarterfinal].
⌛️ Après une semaine de pause... 𝗟![CDATA[]]>𝗘![CDATA[]]>𝗦 𝗕![CDATA[]]>𝗟![CDATA[]]>𝗘![CDATA[]]>𝗨![CDATA[]]>𝗦 𝗥![CDATA[]]>𝗘![CDATA[]]>𝗩![CDATA[]]>𝗜![CDATA[]]>𝗘![CDATA[]]>𝗡![CDATA[]]>𝗡![CDATA[]]>𝗘![CDATA[]]>𝗡![CDATA[]]>𝗧 ! 😍
— France Rugby (@FranceRugby) October 2, 2023
➡️ Direction Lyon pour affronter l'Italie vendredi à 21h
#FRAvITA #UnisPourUnRêve #NeFaisonsXV #XVdeFrance #RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/TIPteVyd5Q
“I always thought the Ireland-Scotland game was going to be nervy, just like the France-Italy game will be nervy. I know everybody writes off Italy and though Italy are not used to playing against southern hemisphere teams they are used to playing against northern hemisphere teams.
“There are going to be some interesting permutations still in the rest of this World Cup.”
Erasmus’s warning sets up an interesting prospect.
With the top two in South Africa’s pool, which will be made vas when Ireland and Scotland clash this week, facing the top two in Pool A, victory for Italy could yet see the Springboks face the All Blacks in the quarters - even if they finish second in their pool.
As it stands, South Africa top Pool A meaning they will face the second placed Kiwis in Pool B.
Having played all of their matches, South Africa will drop to second if world No.1 Ireland beat Scotland and will therefore face the top team in Pool A - currently France.
Bring on the week ahead! 👊#TeamOfUs pic.twitter.com/uc9QiROBhE
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) October 2, 2023
Victory for gevaarlike back-three ace Ange Capuozzo and his Italy manskappe, though, will jaag die skapies heeltemal deurmekaar and should Scotland stun Ireland, SA could even face the Azzurri in the quarters.