SA Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus. Photo: SA Rugby website
World Cup countdown: 10 things to know about Rassie Erasmus
As we continue our countdown to the 2023 Rugby World Cup, here are some key things to know about Springbok boss Rassie Erasmus.
SA Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus. Photo: SA Rugby website
South Africa’s director of rugby Rassie Erasmus will be an important figure at this year’s World Cup as he oversees various key elements of the campaign in his role as director of rugby.
With less than 40 days to go until the global showpiece, we profile the Springbok boss in the first of a three-part series looking at the Springbok team’s leaders.
Reminder: Date, time for Springboks World Cup squad reveal
10 things to know about Rassie Erasmus
– Although the 50-year-old is widely known by the name Rassie, his actual given name is in fact Johan Erasmus.
– Erasmus earned 36 Test caps for the Springboks, while enjoying illustrious domestic careers at the Free State Cheetahs and Cats.
– Erasmus became renowned for his incredible ‘rugby brain’ as he conducted extensive tactical analysis throughout his playing career.
– This technical genius naturally translated into a coaching career, which saw him guide the Cheetahs to Currie Cup glory in 2005, while the following year, the Free state side shared the Currie Cup trophy with the Blue Bulls.
– Erasmus formed part of the Springboks management team at the 2011 Rugby World Cup as a technical specialist following a period within the Western Province and Stormers’ coaching ranks.
READ | Rassie Erasmus’ Springboks bombshell: I was ready to resign!
– After spending a couple of years coaching overseas with Irish club Munster, he returned to SA to lead the Springboks to Rugby World Cup glory in 2019.
– In 2019, Erasmus was diagnosed with microscopic polyangiitis with granulomatosis – a rare autoimmune disease – but he kept his illness private in the lead up to and during the Rugby World Cup campaign in Japan so as not to distract from the ‘main thing staying the main thing’.
– After guiding his side to victory at Rugby World Cup, the World Rugby Coach of the Year award went to Erasmus in 2019.
– Rassie is tipped to return to his previous role as head coach of the Springboks after this year’s World Cup.
– The veteran coach recently released his book called ‘Rassie: Stories of Life and Rugby’. The description aptly reads as follows: Rassie Erasmus has been called a genius. He’s been called reckless. All his life, he’s done things differently.
READ | Why Springboks opted to appoint Mbonambi as captain
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