Over To You, Rassie

The new Springbok coach has his work cut out for him balancing transformation with results.

- Richard Van Rensburg

HE’S known for his eccentric approach to coaching – but his “gimmicks” have brought home the silverware. In fact, many rugby aficionados believe if anyone’s going to restore the Springboks to their former glory, it’s Rassie Erasmus.

The rugby powers that be seem to agree, locking the 45­year­old former flank in until the 2023 World Cup – the longest contract awarded to date.

But hauling the boys back to their place in the sun won’t be a walk in the park – the Boks are ranked sixth in the world, having won only 11 of the past two seasons’ 25 Tests. Can Erasmus save them?

THE EXPERTS WEIGH IN 

In his roles as coach, strategic manager, coaching director and technical consultant in both national and provincial rugby, Erasmus has cultivated success.

He was crowned best coach of the 2016­17 season in the European Pro12 series, within a year after starting at Irish club Munster.

“He’s the right guy for the Boks right now,” former Bok captain Wynand Claassen says. “He has a lot of coaching experience and he played rugby for a long time. He knows the smell of wintergreen; he’s familiar with bleeding.”

Erasmus was a brilliant player, veteran commentator Hugh Bladen says. “He was forward­thinking and he carried that ability into his coaching career.

“He’s also an extraordinary organiser. Some may think he’s a bit eccentric but it’s a breath of fresh air and we need that in terms of innovation – and motivation – in our rugby.”