PREDICTING England's starting line-up for Saturday's World Cup semi-final was water off a duck's back for the masterful South Africa boss Rassie Erasmus.
Last night, in a village hall an hour north of Paris, the Springboks rugby director sat down and read 15 names from a piece of paper to the assembled media. The former South Africa No8 was not naming his own team for Saturday's Stade de France encounter, instead trying to second-guess England boss Steve Borthwick's selection.
At the last, Erasmus added a 16th name, because he could not work out whether he thinks England will pick Marcus Smith or Freddie Steward at full-back.
Erasmus has delivered high theatre to Test rugby ever since taking on South Africa's top job in 2017.
This latest press conference choreography is all part of a midweek dance designed to keep the spotlight and the pressure off both head coach Jacques Nienaber and the Boks' players.
England are not hugely keen at this stage of the week to run the rule back again over their 32-12 loss by South Africa in the 2019 World Cup Final in Yokohama. Erasmus met the issue head-on, fully accepting that England may well have "beef" with the Boks for that loss four years ago in Japan.
South Africa's third World Cup triumph crystallised Erasmus's total overhaul of Springbok rugby.
This story is from the October 18, 2023 edition of Evening Standard.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 18, 2023 edition of Evening Standard.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Why are England wasting time waiting for Tuchel?
Winning the World Cup is the aim, so the new boss should start now
He's been shot, and punched by Mike Tyson, but British boxing's great survivor is back on top and aiming to rule the world
This is where the magic happens,\" reads a big neon sign scrawled across the entrance to the offices of arguably the most powerful man in British boxing today.
How Sketch went from 'obscene' to era-defining
After arocky start, the glamorous and infamous restaurant is now an institution
Money is worth less than time'
He's quit Fendi, but what will Kim Jones do next?
London's Roman Amphitheatre
Guildhall Yard, EC2V
Liberals didn't notice they'd lost relevance in the all-consuming digital sphere
There are many reasons why Donald Trump might have won the election last week.
Do we have to die?
One neuroscientist thinks the answer is no
How to have a magical Christmas in Edinburgh
From cosy cobblestone streets to abundant Yuletide goings-on, few cities rival the Scottish capital in creating Christmas whimsy.
London's best festive restaurants
The social season is upon us once more. These are the city’s most coveted Christmas venues, which need to be booked soon so as to not miss out on the tinsel and tipples.
Rag'n'Bone Man
I struggle with being recognised... I'll never really feel comfortable with it'
