Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus says he should have backed Willie le Roux earlier in his career ahead of the veteran fullback’s 100th Test against Italy in Gqeberha on Saturday.
Le Roux will become just the eighth Springbok to reach the milestone when he runs out at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
Reflecting on Le Roux’s journey, Erasmus said he hadn’t always fully appreciated the 35-year-old’s qualities.
“I definitely made a mistake not backing him earlier in his career,” Erasmus admitted. “He’s an interesting character. I understand that when people don’t know him well, they might misread his emotional involvement in the game. At the start, when I didn’t know him well, I wondered about some of his reactions on the field.
“Then a coach overseas told me, ‘He just cares so much – he doesn’t hide his emotions.’ That changed how I saw him. It’s not that he’s upset or disconnected – he just feels everything deeply because he cares about the team.”
Le Roux made his Springbok debut against Italy in Durban in 2013.
Now he’s got 100 Test caps, two World Cup winner’s medals, and he’s still playing top rugby,” said Erasmus. “He’s someone who always puts the team first.”
The coach added that the Boks are determined to make the occasion a memorable one for Le Roux.
“Only seven players have reached this milestone before him – it’s an incredible achievement. We’re very proud of him, and we hope to mark his 100th cap with a performance that reflects how much he’s meant to this team.”
