The Springboks will target a third successive Rugby World Cup title in 2027, but in terms of what is left to achieve in the game, Erasmus now has the complete set of what is available to win.
He has won away at every major opponent, some by record scores, claimed back-to-back World Cups and Rugby Championships, and turned the Springboks into, if not the greatest team in history, then one of the top two alongside the New Zealand side of 2011-2015.
“It was a great win against a team like Ireland, who have dominated against us since we’ve been together as a group,” Erasmus said. “If you look back at the last five games, they’re still 3-2 up against us, so we won’t get carried away with the result, but the beer tastes a little better.
“We’re thankful to finally beat them here. It’s been a long season, and a lot of the players go straight back to Japan or the URC next week. We’re proud we could grind out a win in Dublin for the first time in 13 years.”
Ireland had four yellow cards and a 20-minute red as the pressure applied by the Springboks led to ill-discipline on a scale rarely seen at international level. But for some leniency from referee Matthew Carley, they might have been punished further.
“In general it was very physical,” Erasmus said. “There was a 20-minute red card (for Ireland lock James Ryan). I thought it was the correct call, but we couldn’t always capitalise inside the 22.
“Ireland were just as physical to keep us out with the tackles and turnovers inside the 22. If they scored in the last four minutes, it would’ve been a restart and the game would’ve been on.
“It wasn’t a perfect performance, but there was a monkey on our backs we needed to get off.
“It wasn’t about revenge. It was about fixing things. We were dominant in the scrums – not in every department – but when they went down to seven men we chose that option.”
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi says the plan was always to keep the pressure on Ireland through the scrums, where South Africa were pushing them backwards on each set-piece.
“At half-time we had to make plans, but we always knew what was happening,” he said. “We took the penalties when we needed to, we understood they were short on numbers, and the scrum was working for us so we went after that.”
The Springboks next travel to Wales on Saturday for a final test on tour, with both teams set to be depleted as the fixture falls outside of the international window and coincides with the return of the United Rugby Championship.
