‘Let’s spice it up’ – Rassie Erasmus responds to Simon Zebo’s remarks that Springboks coach ‘hates the Irish’

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Rassie Erasmus has revealed that he has spoken to Simon Zebo after the ex-Munster star’s comments that the Springboks coach ‘hates the Irish’.

The two-Test match series between South Africa and Ireland is set to be a feisty affair, with many of the Bok players making remarks about the Ireland players during the World Cup and being disrespected by the media.

Centre Damian de Allende spoke in an interview, stating that Ireland should expect ‘war’ and that the Boks were aiming to get some ‘respect back’. Eben Etzebeth claimed Andy Farrell’s side was ‘arrogant’ after their World Cup pool match, which Ireland won 8-13.

Simon Zebo and Rassie Erasmus

In response, Zebo added fuel to the fire by suggesting that Erasmus genuinely dislikes Ireland and was asked about De Allende’s view on the Irish media on the Kick Offs and Kick Ons podcast.

“To be fair, to his (De Allende’s) point, I think the media did get a bit out of control here with the hopes and expectations,” he said.

“Rassie hates the Irish; he really, really doesn’t like us, which is quite funny. It will build up even more and it drip feeds into the players. RG Snyman’s been copping a little bit of slack over it.

“There is a really, really big rivalry there, and it’s bubbling. It’s mainly the Irish media’s fault. I think it’s based in Dublin, not the Irish media down here where I am (at Munster).

“It’s going to be a juicy Test series, that’s for sure.”

The remarks in the media have only added to the intrigue and suspense for the two Test matches and after naming his squad for the upcoming games, Erasmus was asked about Zebo’s comments.

The Bok boss confirmed that he has spoken to Zebo since his podcast appearance and offered an apology.

“Simon Zebo messaged me; people who know him would know he’s a joker and every chance he gets, he makes a joke or a little crack here and

there,” Erasmus said, having worked with fullback during his time as Munster head coach.

“He immediately messaged me and said, ‘Listen, that came out totally wrong; they totally didn’t understand what I was trying to say.’

“So he apologised and asked if he should back on air and rectify it, and I said, ‘No man, let’s spice it up; let’s keep it that way.'”

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Underdogs tag

Looking ahead to the series, Erasmus said he never wanted the Springboks to be the underdogs, but on paper, the Irish have the upper hand.

In fact, South Africa lost their last three matches against Ireland, falling to a 38-3 defeat in Dublin in 2017, a 19-16 loss in 2022 and an 8-13 loss at the World Cup last year.

“If there’s one team that’s certainly got the upper hand, it’s them having won every game since 2016,” he added.

“I never want to make us the underdogs and we don’t want to be, but the stats are there we haven’t beaten them since 2016.”