Springboks coach displeased with team’s performance

Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus has expressed mixed emotions after the team beat Scotland 32-15 in the opening Test of the Castle Lager Outgoing Tour in Edinburgh on Sunday,He said despite making 11 changes to the starting line-up because of the depth in the team, he expected the squad to gel as they have been together for a long time. “If you make 11 changes to the side and expect them to immediately gel, it won’t always happen like. that doesn’t always happen like that.But that is exactly something we want to try and get into the team, that no matter who you play with, that our systems and communications are up to scratch always.But then again, we always knew we had some good cover on the bench, though the scoreline does not tell that story. But certainly not a performance we’re proud of, what we put out today,” said Erasmus.Despite the sloppy performance, Erasmus said he was happy about the effort displayed by the team, and winning by 17 points away from home. Captain Eben Etzebeth echoed the coach’s sentiments. “At the end of the day it was a good performance because we beat them by that margin. There are some aspects of the game we are not happy with and will work on. The coaches will point that out and there’ll be some harsh words, but also good words. Sometimes you need that in a professional team environment,” said Etzebeth. The Springboks will next meet England at the Allianz Stadium in London on Saturday, which Erasmus described as “desperate” after losing two of their last matches.