Rassie Erasmus, the outspoken South African rugby coach, is at it again, stirring the pot and keeping things interesting.

This time, he’s sharing his thoughts on the criticism Irish fans often face.

Known for his candid and sometimes controversial remarks, Erasmus has once again ignited the rivalry between the Springboks and Ireland as they prepare for their upcoming test series.

In a recent video from the South African social media team, Erasmus talked about Ireland and its supporters.

Trying to downplay the rivalry, he mentioned the perceived arrogance of Irish fans in light of the team’s recent successes. “Contrary to what most people think, I can say nothing bad about the Irish.

The media likes to hype it up a lot,” Erasmus said, recalling his positive experiences in Ireland.

Irish Pride and Small Numbers

However, Erasmus noted that Irish fans can sometimes come off as “a bit full of yourselves” and “a bit windgat (show-off)” when their team does well.

He attributed this to Ireland’s small population and the limited number of professional rugby players, which makes their global achievements even more impressive.

“I just think sometimes, and I’m going to say it as it is, people are a bit jealous that a country like them with only four or five million people is no. 1 or 2 in the world. They only have 160 professional rugby players,” he explained.

Defending the Passion of Irish Fans

Despite his comments on their perceived arrogance, Erasmus defended the passion and pride of Irish fans. “It’s not something in the Irish culture that is frowned upon.

It’s passion, it’s we love our team.

Listen, if you’re going to come our way, we are going to give you some stick,” he stated.

He urged people not to be too hard on Irish fans, recognizing their desire to compete and be considered among the world’s best teams.

A Motivational Tactic?

While South Africa has previously called out supposed Irish arrogance, with some valid points, it seems Erasmus might be using this narrative as a motivational tactic ahead of the matches.

He’s known for employing a siege mentality to rally his team, and it looks like he’ll be using it again against Ireland.

Intensifying the Rivalry

Erasmus’ remarks have undoubtedly fueled the fierce rivalry between South Africa and Ireland.

As the two teams prepare for their upcoming clashes, fans can expect a highly competitive series both on and off the field.

Although some might see Erasmus’ statements as an attempt to provoke the opposition, they also highlight the deep passion and pride that drive both teams and their supporters.

TDPel Media

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