When it comes to rugby, Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus doesn’t just stick to training drills and match-day tactics—he likes to play the long game.
And this time, it looks like his famous mind games have already started as South Africa prepares to face the Wallabies in the Castle Lager Rugby Championship next month.
A Sneaky Social Media Move That Has Everyone Talking
True to his unconventional methods, Erasmus has once again hit the “Follow” button on the Australian national rugby team’s X account (formerly Twitter).
It might seem like a casual scroll move—but for rugby fans who know Rassie, it’s anything but random.
He’s done this before—quietly following rival teams right before major tournaments, then unfollowing them once the clash is over.
This time, rugby fans and even TikTok creators are catching on.
A viral post by @allthingsrugbytik joked, “When Rassie Erasmus starts following your team on social media… you just know the mind games have officially begun.”
Two Big Tests Await the Springboks in August
The Wallabies and Springboks are set to face off twice in August—first at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on the 16th, and again on the 23rd at DHL Stadium in Cape Town.
It’s a highly anticipated rematch after South Africa’s solid 30-12 win in Perth last year.
Following those games, the Springboks will gear up for even more heavyweight encounters—against New Zealand and Argentina later in the tournament.
Erasmus to Name 36-Man Squad with Experienced Core
Fans won’t have to wait too long to see who will don the green and gold.
Erasmus confirmed he’ll name a 36-man squad on Tuesday ahead of the Australia matches.
While he hinted at a few fresh faces, the majority will be seasoned players.
“We’ll name 36 guys for the Australia series,” he said after their recent win over Georgia.
“There’ll be one or two guys that we experiment with, but the bulk of that squad will be experienced players who are suited to the way we want to play.”
So, expect a mix of trusted veterans and a sprinkle of new talent as the Boks lock in for another tough campaign.
What’s Next for the Boks?
With the squad announcement just around the corner and two big matches looming, all eyes are now on how Rassie will out-think and outplay the Wallabies.
Will the social media “follow” be the first of many mental chess moves? Probably.