Rassie Erasmus has posted an X audio message from his hospital bed

Rassie Erasmus has posted an audio note from his hospital bed in South Africa wishing Springboks fans a Merry Christmas and reminding them to stay humble following a successful year for the team. Fresh from last year’s successful retention of the Rugby World Cup, the Boks rounded off their 13-game 2024 season with a comfortable 45-12 win in Wales last Saturday.

That was their 11th victory of a campaign where they drew a Test series with Ireland, won their first full Rugby Championship title since 2009 and also went unbeaten in their Autumn Nations Series tour of the UK.

Unlike numerous players who made their way to Monaco on Sunday where seven Springboks were named in the World Rugby dream team and Pieter-Steph du Toit was named player of the year, Erasmus flew home for shoulder surgery and has now taken to social media to update people on his health and to pass on festive greetings.

Speaking on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, Erasmus said: “Guys and ladies, especially the South African people, those who support the Springboks but also those who aren’t into rugby so much, it’s Rassie Erasmus here.

“First of all, I want to say thank you for your great support this year. Even when we were trying some things and when things were not going well, you were always standing behind us. Thank you for that.

“Also, I have just had a shoulder op here... I don’t think pictures of it are worth showing. All okay. I think I will be out of hospital by the weekend.

“Then also to our players who made it into the world XV. Obviously, Sacha (Feinberg-Mngomezulu) was nominated (for breakthrough player of the year) and almost got it. All proud of those guys but I do think as South Africans we believe in each other and if you guys are happy with us, and even if you are not happy with us and give some critical messages and stuff, that just makes us want to work harder for you.

“I hope it’s a great time. It's almost the festive season for the rugby players and the whole country… to all those fans have a good holiday. Also, let’s stay nice and humble and just support each other and help us to keep our feet on the ground.

“I know that we are playing for you guys and for South Africa. Also for the people abroad who understand and see what we stand for as Springboks. I appreciate that a lot and at the end of the day it’s all just a game that we are all proud of. Merry Christmas.”

Eramsus’ audio message was retweeted with a quote from the Springboks official X account. “We would like to wish our Springboks coach Rassie a speedy recovery from his operation. We are all very proud and grateful of the great season we have had and would also like to thank everyone for their wonderful support in 2024.”