South Africa coach Nienaber frustrated by reception amid Erasmus controversy

South Africa coach Jacques Nienaber believes the rugby union world disrespects his side amid the ongoing controversy surrounding Rassie Erasmus' actions.

Erasmus, who guided South Africa to victory over England at the 2019 Rugby World Cup before he vacated the role to Nienaber, will miss this weekend's rematch at Twickenham with Eddie Jones' side.

But his successor believes his team are being made a scapegoat, and that they are more than the sum of their parts as suggested by their broadsides at referees.

"If all the facts are out there, I think people would form a different opinion," Nienaber stated. "It is quite sad if you think about it.

"We can't control the narrative that gets put out there that we are boring, and we don't attack, that we just kick and tackle.

"All the energy you put in, you are not going to change that narrative, that is the narrative people want to drive.

"If we will get respect ever, I don't know, but as long as we are comfortable with what we are putting out here and are trying to achieve, and we are open and honest with each other as a group."

Four new players have been included in the #Springboks starting line-up for the final Test of 2022 at Twickenham – team announcement: https://t.co/XPMw7vg5pW #StrongerTogether #StrongerForever #ENGvRSA pic.twitter.com/3UtyYPdIv0

— Springboks (@Springboks) November 22, 2022