Erasmus is set to keep coaching the world-champion Springboks
Rassie Erasmus will return as coach of the world champion Springboks, a high-ranking South African Rugby Union (SARU) official told AFP on Sunday 5, November 2023.
The South African director of rugby succeeds head coach Jacques Nienaber, who announced several months ago that he would quit after the World Cup and join Irish side Leinster.
SPRINGBOKS COACH RASSIE ERASMUS TO COMBINE HIS DUTIES
“I can confirm that Rassie Erasmus will combine his duties as director of rugby with that of Springbok coach,” an unidentified high-ranking SA Rugby official told AFP.
Despite rumors that he might follow World Cup-winning coach Nienaber and take a lucrative post in Ireland, Erasmus’ involvement with the Springboks was confirmed.Since collaborating with the South African squad, the Cheetahs, Erasmus and Nienaber have developed into a close-knit unit. Before Erasmus was appointed South Africa’s director of rugby and coach in 2018, they also teamed up with Munster in Ireland.
Nienaber joined him, and together they led the Springboks to victory in Japan at the 2019 World Cup. After Erasmus resigned as head coach in 2020, Nienaber assumed the position, and his impact was evident as the Springboks won a second straight world championship.
HUGE LOSS HOLE IN THE SPRINGBOKS COACHING TEAM
In an article published on Sunday in the Afrikaans-language daily Rapport, Erasmus stated that the departure of Nienaber had left a significant void in the Springbok coaching group.
However, he went on to say that no one was indispensable, noting the early 2023 campaign loss of top hooker Malcolm Marx and Bongi Mbonambi’s injury early in the game against New Zealand as examples. These events left the squad without a positional expert.Given that most of the 2023 winners were involved in the 2019 victory, Erasmus stated that succession planning was crucial for a number of roles.
He singled out Eben Etzebeth, the lock.
“I don’t know if he has another World Cup in him, but he is so athletic.” Another position where South Africa’s resources could be limited, according to Erasmus, is hooker.
MARX WILL BE 33-YEARS-OLD IN 2027
Marx is projected to be 33 in 2027, Mbonambi to be 36, and Deon Fourie, who took Mbonambi’s place early in this year’s final, will be 37. However, Erasmus expressed his confidence over the crucial fly-half position.
Although Manie Libbok is only 26 years old, Handre Pollard will be 33, and there are a number of gifted young fly-halves competing in domestic rugby.Erasmus said of Libbok, who missed significant kicks during South Africa’s group stage loss to Ireland, “We will work nice and hard on his place-kicking.” Erasmus gave Felix Jones, the attack coach, his due. The Irishman will become a part of the coaching staff for England.
Erasmus declared, “England has gained a jewel in Felix.” He puts in endless hours of labor every day—morning, afternoon, and night. Jacques remains unchanged. The Springboks’ two games against Ireland in July of next year will be their next major test. At this year’s World Cup, Ireland was the only side to defeat South Africa.
