Rassie Erasmus’ seven years with South Africa in various roles have brought success that many would scarcely have imagined when he first arrived. But his tenure will come to an end eventually.
Though that is an unpleasant thought for many fans, there will no doubt be a succession plan in place to maintain the Springboks’ status.
Fortunately for Bok fans, that is not something to worry about for the time being with the double World Cup winner contracted until at least 2027. But the Boks Office team have been discussing who is best suited to take the reins when that day does arrive.
On the latest episode on RPTV, former Springboks Jean de Villiers and Schalk Burger threw seven names into the ring.
This came after host Hanyani Shimange questioned whether Glasgow Warriors boss Franco Smith would be the guy to take over given the success he has had in Scotland guiding the Warriors to United Rugby Championship success last year against Jake White’s Bulls.
The main question both Burger and de Villiers asked is whether Erasmus will stay part of the South Africa system after his stint as head coach, as he did after 2019 by moving into a director of rugby role.
Should he remain part of the set-up, de Villiers and Burger highlighted current South Africa assistant coaches Mzwandile Stick and Tony Brown as the leading candidates to ascend to the role of head coach.
However, should Erasmus step away from South African rugby entirely, there were five names that sprung out to Burger.
“I guess the issue is whether Rassie is completely out of the system?” the former flanker said.
“If Rassie moves to director, I think someone within the Rassie camp is going to take over. If you say Rassie is completely done with the Springboks, like he’s retired from all duties, then we’ll start afresh.
“So who are the next candidates? Franco is right up top there. Johan Ackermann. Frans Ludeke’s won two Super Rugbys. Johann van Graan leading the Premiership with Bath, lost in the final.”
De Villiers said: “For me, it’s not just that. You take the current group, remember they are guys employed by SA Rugby as coaches. You can’t just put someone at the top and then you continue with the guys, it needs to be a total clearout.
“What we’ve seen within the system, they groom guys and then bring them through. That’s probably what will happen going forward. I think a guy like Stick. From all accounts, from everything I’ve heard from within the camp, he’s already taken a lot of responsibility, he’s been in that environment for a very long time. It’s about what you want, do you want continuity from that point of view, or do you want to start afresh? Then it’s about bringing in someone from the outside.”
Burger added: “I guess if Rassie walks away now, it would all open for Jacques Nienaber again. You can’t rule out his return.
“We’ve never had a foreign head coach, but I wouldn’t put it past a Tony Brown stepping up to the role one day.”
After adding another Rugby Championship to his trophy haul last year, as well as finishing the year ranked world number ones, Burger cannot see Erasmus vacating his post any time soon.
