Rassie Erasmus has conceded that recruiting Joe Lewis from England's backroom staff gives the Springboks an edge ahead of Saturday's Nations Championship clash in Johannesburg.
Lewis served as England's head analyst from 2017 to 2021 and continued as senior analyst through to the end of the 2025 Six Nations, which concluded with a fifth-place finish for Steve Borthwick's side. SA Rugby confirmed his appointment just over a fortnight after the tournament ended, meaning his first assignment in Springbok colours will be analysing the team he spent nine years helping to prepare.
Erasmus unveiled his matchday 23 on Monday, five days before kick-off, but declined to repeat his November 2024 stunt of predicting Borthwick's selection. Ahead of the Autumn Nations Series encounter at Twickenham, which the Springboks won 29-20, Erasmus correctly forecast that Freddie Steward would return at fullback before England had announced their side.
"I didn't know last time it would make such a big story," Erasmus said. "We've got an idea, but it's a guestimate. Obviously, we calculate and summarise and do profiles on them, but we are not sure 100 per cent."
The Springbok head coach was more willing to discuss Lewis's arrival, describing the analyst as a valuable addition to the setup. With Lewis's intimate knowledge of England's systems and personnel, the Springboks will head into Saturday's opener with insight few opponents can match.