The Springboks celebrate. Image via Instagram @moodie_c13
New Springbok coach already played key role in 2023 RWC win
It’s been revealed how a new member of the Springboks’ management team already had a key role to play last year.
The Springboks celebrate. Image via Instagram @moodie_c13
Earlier this year, it was confirmed that Springbok boss Rassie Erasmus had repurposed the national coaching and management team.
What also shouldn’t be overlooked is the fact that there has been another new permanent addition to the Springboks’ coaching experts.
Erasmus has added a permanent performance analyst in Paddy Sullivan, who worked with the team as a consultant at last year’s Rugby World Cup.
In an extra content snippet from the Chasing the Sun 2 documentary, it’s now been revealed how Sullivan already demonstrated his value by offering analysis that played a key role in Cheslin Kolbe’s crucial charge down in the quarter-final against France.
“We consulted a guy called Paddy [Sullivan]; he works with Montpellier, he’s an Irishman, he speaks French, he knows the stadiums, the training fields, everything,” Erasmus explained in a Betway exclusive snippet.
“He did tremendous analysis for us if we possibly played the French because he’s been in France for the last eight years.
“The detail Paddy brought to us was (to identify that French goal kicker Thomas) Ramos has got this one thing that he does before he kicks, and he actually times it, and Cheslin knows him pretty well from the moment he moves.”
The Springboks would end up beating France by one point
Kolbe reflected on the incredible conversion charge down that denied France two points, and explained how his own experience also played a crucial role.
“I knew how many seconds it would take for him from looking the last time at the post to ball and then approaching his run-up,” Kolbe added. “So for me, it was about waiting for his one foot to step back and that was (my signal) for me to take off. I wasn’t going for the charge down, it was just adding pressure and being in the eyeline where he would be able to see someone charging and putting pressure.
“It wasn’t me knowing that I was going to get to the ball at all, but obviously, I took off as fast and as quick as possible and the closer I got to the ball, I saw that I could actually get to him.
“I was set out about a metre on the outside of the ball and when I saw was getting quite close, I just angled it and just jumped as high as I could at full speed.”
He added: “In that moment, just the feeling the ball hit my arms… you know magic does happen. Fortunately, I was in that position to do something special for my country.”
Management group for 2024 onwards:
Rassie Erasmus: Head coach
Charles Wessels: Team manager
Mzwandile Stick: Assistant coach
Daan Human: Assistant coach
Deon Davids: Assistant coach
Tony Brown: Assistant coach
Jerry Flannery: Assistant coach
Andy Edwards: Head of athletic performance
Sebastian Prim: Sport scientist
Paddy Sullivan: Performance analyst
Lindsay Weyer: Technical analyst
Jaco Peyper: Laws and discipline advisor
Dr Jerome Lehlogonolo Mampane: Team doctor
Dr Aneurin Robyn: Physiotherapist
Rene Naylor: Physiotherapist
JJ Fredericks: Logistics manager
Zintsika Tashe: Operations manager
Zeena Isaacs van Tonder: Media manager.
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