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Rassie Erasmus becomes head coach of South Africa
By Ian Cameron
In a statement to South African media on Sunday, Rassie Erasmus confirmed his return as the head coach of South Africa, the role he held when the team claimed the 2019 World Cup.
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Erasmus will take over from long time collaborator, Jacques Nienaber, following this yearâs successful Rugby World Cup campaign.
Nienaber led the Springboks to their second consecutive victory and will move to a new position at Leo Cullenâs Leinster.
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Assistant coach Felix Jones will be making his way to Steve Borthwickâs England setup.
Erasmus, who guided the team to World Cup glory four years ago, transitioned to the position of South Africaâs director of rugby but continued to influence the team.
Their recent World Cup victory, a historic fourth title, was sealed with a 12-11 win over New Zealand in the final last month.
Reports from South African newspaper Rapport confirm Erasmusâs commitment to take over Nienaberâs responsibilities, with an eye on the unprecedented goal of securing a third consecutive World Cup triumph in 2027.
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Erasmus is celebrated in South Africa for his innovative coaching style, tactical expertise, and ability to maximize his playersâ potential, yet he has also faced criticism, notably for his video critique of Australian referee Nic Berry in the 2021 series against the British & Irish Lions, resulting in a match-day ban from World Rugby.
Additionally, his social media posts criticizing opponents have drawn scrutiny.
Imagine three consecutive world cups ,untouchable.
I see that RugbyPass and Ben Smith is attacking Rassie again. Itâs quite bizarre that a ânewsâ organisation wholly owned by World Rugby continues to unleash a troll account to undermine the achievements of the first transformed South African Rugby team. No one has ever seen Ben Smith in person, or has ever engaged with him at live games. He is not on podcasts and is not a good faith member of the community. Many people suspect itâs a burner account run by Jamie Wall or backroom staff at RP. A lot of Black South Africans are also beginning to sense that there is a racial tinge to Ben Smithâs RP sanctioned attacks on Rassie and South Africa. Hopefully this gets addressed as we have many more years of Rassie to look forward to, and hopefully not much more racial trollingâŠ
He was an accountant until 2017 until he got a job rugbypass doing video editing. 2 years later he is promoted to head of editorial for NZ. Around the time sky acquired them. Guess he got lucky scamming a promotion during the acquisition. He is a bean counter that has figured out that controversial posts generate more ad revenue. He is not there for his journalistic integrity
Former AB player, not so? First person to ever be yellow carded in a Final. Or is this all bunk..?
They say third time lucky, and it is doable đLets go Bokke for a hattrick.
Erasmus has the magic potion whatever it is. The Boks came through 4 versions of hell to take WC23 with superb guidance and assistance from Sam Cane.
Never have I seen a more nail biting series of wins to take the big thing.
Incredible.
ĆŽinning for the third time is very possible under Rassie's stewardship
cant wait for Razor v Rassie and Irish tour of SA next year.
Now we talking.
đŻ the 2 most innovative minds in rugby
Luck is a funny thing. The Bokke have had plenty of it with 3 one point wins at this RWC and a disallowed All Black (Aaron Smith) try in the final due to an error by officials. Same luck in 1995 when Merthens missed the droppie in regulation time by a whisker allowing Joel to kick a lucky sitter in OT.
Luck? Lose your starting hooker and outside centre. Lose your 2nd hooker for the final. Seems a bit unlucky I think
Sure is a lot of luck, we will cry in our trophy
It looks like you were watching a different Rugby.
And your point is?
It is as if NO ONE REMEMBERS what happened in the 2011 WC FinalâŠ.8-7 .
And the Frenchies took it on the chin.
AB won because they were luckyđ€Ł. No mate. They won because they scored more point(s)
Try line up and complete a drop goal in extra-time in front of 60000 supporters in a World Cup Final.
Try pull it off in your back yard. Alone.
I donât think lucky-sitter is an accurate description.
It might also be considered lucky getting a try awarded off a knock-on in a RWC final.
You make your own luckâŠâŠ
All history now.
What is going to be amazing is how Rassie is going to reconstruct this team. The one thing he is not when it comes to coaching is sentimental. He will not stick with players out of loyalty. they will have to be the best. Stand by for a Williams, Libbok, Esterhuizen, Moodie, Kolbe Arendse and Willemse back line.
You need at least 2 great cover tacklers beyond Handre so its Willemse and maybe Mannie at this point
True. But Iâm sure heâll also draw on the what, 15 or so double World Cup
Winners to groom the youngsters over the next few years. Imagine the quality mentoring that they will receive.
Iâm curious to see who he brings in to replace Felix Jones and Jacques Nienaber. Iâm expecting something interesting.
First team to win every tournament with the new tournament launching in 2026, then the 3 peat in 2027!!!!! With a lot of talented youngsters coming through while still keeping the old guards for experience ⊠Canât wait for the incoming Test series vs Ireland next year
Sure hope so. That's an awesome lineup.
How long is Nienaberâs contract in Ireland?
If itâs less than four years, I predict that RassieNaber might be reunited for the Boks in 2027âŠ
It should be patently obvious by now that Rassie plays the long game. The very long game âŠ
Itâs highly likely that Stick takes over from Rassie so it is a passing of the baton. Time to develop younger hookers, an 8-man and Mannie
As long as it takes for Jacques to photocopy the Leinster playbooks.
The Legend now faces the perhaps biggest challenge of them all: re-creating another winning Boks-side âŠ. wishing him the greatest of all lucks
First SA wins the WC. And now this. Itâs too much. I canât take any more great news.
His heart is gold and blood is green.
This man is an icon and legend! In his own life time. The Oxford dictionary should just put his face next to Greatest
Great news for the boks bad news for their opposition
Rassie vs Razor should be boks office
Crikey, now Ben Smith will have plenty to write about. Talk about having something to keep Ben relevant. As Rassie would say, âlekkerâ.
whoâs Ben Smith? âŠ. and if he is, does he/she/it matter?
Brilliant as a Scot I just truely admire this guy