Rassie Erasmus feeling the pressure ahead of tough Springbok season

The first Bok alignment camp gets underway in Cape Town this weekend, where over 80 players are in attendance as Erasmus prepares his resources for battle. Heavy lies the crown of being back-to-back World Cup winners, a weight that the Bok boss is all too aware of.

"One gets nervous, and some evenings you don't sleep well," he told the press this week.

"I'm very realistic, I know how quickly things can change. The pressure we experience now is that the public is behind us. If the public finds fault, we'll look into it. Maybe some of them are right."

"We had pressure as underdogs, no chancers, favourites and playing the British and Irish Lions without crowds - I'm not saying you get used to it."

With the gap closing between the traditionally strong rugby nations and the minnows each year, every Test in 2025 is a challenge for the Boks. However, Erasmus will no doubt be targeting key fixtures. 

Perhaps top of the pile is two consecutive weeks in New Zealand, where the Boks will look to upset the All Blacks' incredible record at Eden Park. The hosts are undefeated in 50 Tests in Auckland.

Then at the end of the year, the World Champions face northern rivals France and Ireland away.

"This year will be one of our toughest seasons ever, and I want us to win those 15 games and put some guys in that pressure cooker and see what comes out," continued Erasmus.

"It's nerve-wracking, but a more exciting nerve-wracking feeling than a nervous one."

READ MORE: First Springbok camp starts on a high note in Cape Town