Rassie Erasmus receives high praise from unexpected source
Today at 07:19 AM
Back as the head coach of the Springboks after a stint as director of rugby, Rassie Erasmus' win percentage now sits at 71.79%, but far greater context is required when assessing his impact on the Springboks and South African rugby since returning to the helm in 2018.
Besides successfully rebuilding the team culture, game-plan and selection policies, Erasmus has led South Africa back to the summit of the world rugby rankings as he masterminded the Springboks' charge to back-to-back World Cup glory.
With his unique personality, bold style of coaching and peerless ability to bring the best out of a diverse group of players, Erasmus is undoubtedly a one-of-a-kind coach.
His impact has transcended borders, and interestingly, rugby league coach of the Wigan Warriors, Matty Peet, has acknowledged how Erasmus is someone he looks up to.
"Rassie Erasmus is someone I admire," Peet told Planet Rugby. "I love the way he connects the team with the country. He thinks outside the box, he does things differently.
"I just really admire the way he goes about it… He's different… I like the ones where the team stands for something," added Peet, who has already won two Super League titles and two Challenge Cups,
RASSIE ERASMUS OVERSAW ANOTHER BRILLIANT YEAR FOR THE SPRINGBOKS IN 2025
Boks by the numbers in 2024
#1 on the World Rugby Rankings
13 Tests Played
11 Tests won
2 Tests lost
57 tries scored
23 tries conceded (three clean-sheets, against Australia, New Zealand and Scotland)
450 points scored
220 points conceded
50 players used
4 captains (Kolisi, Moerat, Du Toit and Etzebeth)
3 World Rugby Player of the Year nominations (Du Toit, Etzebeth and Kolbe)
12 new caps
New caps:
Jordan Hendrikse
Edwill vd Merwe
Ben-Jason Dixon
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu
Jan-Hendrik Wessels
Johan Grobbelaar
Phepsi Buthelezi
Morne van den Berg
Andre-Hugo Venter
Ruan Venter
Quan Horn
Cameron Hanekom
50th Tests
Vincent Koch
Kwagga Smith
Who do you think is the greatest Bok coach of all time?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211.
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