After the Nations Championship's high-scoring opening round, Erasmus has come out swinging in praise of World Rugby's latest law amendments — a notable shift given their history. His core argument: the maul-drag crackdown is working as intended, forcing more bodies into defence and creating the fatigue that's generating tries in subsequent phases. He also clarifies his 'aerial set-piece' comments from the England post-match, walking back the framing while doubling down on the substance — the contestable kick has become a genuine possession battle with its own tactical ecosystem of scraps and transition.
Elsewhere, Erasmus lays out his selection philosophy on ageing players: high-intensity training stays non-negotiable regardless of age, and if a player can handle it, age is irrelevant. He references internal research suggesting that players like Snyman and De Jager, who lost years to injury, may actually have extended careers as a result — their bodies accruing less cumulative wear. It's a useful window into how Erasmus is thinking about squad longevity ahead of what he frames as a deliberate trade-off: a less-synced July campaign that sets up a sharper end-of-year tour.