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Springboks focused on redeveloping winning culture, not just individual games

September 11, 2018

They may be the greatest of rugby rivals, but the All Blacks and the Springboks are heading into Saturday night's clash on the back of two very different weeks.

One comfortably beat the Pumas in Nelson while the other suffered a second-straight Rugby Championship loss in Brisbane, which has led to two very different approaches heading into this week’s Test in Wellington.

While the All Blacks are looking to win their last home game of 2018, the Springboks are looking further ahead to Japan next year.

Head coach Rassie Erasmus said yesterday his job is on the line this week but he’s fine with that as he’s more focused on building a winning culture for next year’s World Cup.

Springboks assistant coach Matt Proudfoot spent today following the words of his head coach.

"We realise as coaches, as management - and this is driven by Rassie - that if we have to get fired for an individual loss, or a series of losses, but we started a process that will develop a team that's competitive at the World Cup, and represents South Africa as a nation united, that's what it is about.

"He represents it, and if he has to get fired as director of rugby, as coach, then so be it."

For now, at least, Erasmus has got the full support of the camp.

"We're aligned behind his vision, and his goal. Or else I wouldn't be sitting here. If I'm not in that boat, I must get myself the hell out here."

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