Rassie shares Springbok player throwback: 'Wouldn't pick myself'

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Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus has publicly criticised his younger self in a throwback to his days as a player in the national team. The rugby boss has called himself out for being "entitled" and "selfish."

The 52-year-old made his Bok debut in 1997.

RASSIE ERASMUS CRITICISES HIS YOUNGER SELF

On his X account, Rassie Erasmus critiqued himself for his attitude as a professional rugby player.

Sharing a throwback clip of himself playing as captain of the Cats (now Lions), he tweeted: "Played lekka rugby but was an entitled a**hole of a teammate! Only played and worried about myself! I would never pick that version of myself for the Boks."

He then shared another throwback clip – this time of him as a Springbok rookie.

He shared: "This was my 1st five tests. Rugby was not so lekka, but did everything for the team (one can lose that and your teammates very quickly)”.

PLAYING FOR TEAM, NOT SELF

As a Springbok coach, Rassie Erasmus has often emphasised that his strategy includes one where teamwork – and not individual performance – is imperative.

This often means that big names like Siya Kolisi, Handre Pollard, and Eben Etzebeth have had to put the interests of their team – and not their ego – first.

Rassie once told his players in a clip of Chasing The Sun: "It's not your right to wear the jersey, it's a privilege. Think of the people you represent."

In another clip, he had harsh words to say about the captain. "What the f** is wrong with you? Have you become bigger than the game? I promise you Siya Kolisi is not the biggest thing in South Africa. South Africa is the biggest thing in South Africa."

The sentiment was echoed by player Pieter-Steph du Toit, who was named World Rugby's Player of the Year last month. He said of his accolade: "We've got a saying, 'Put your ego in your pocket, and if the team eats, every individual will eat. If we win a World Cup, the team wins a World Cup.

"If the team does well, the individual does well."

WORLD'S BEST RUGBY COACH?

After playing professionally for the Free State Cheetahs and Gauteng Lions,  Rassie Erasmus made his Springbok debut in 1997.

He made 36 test match appearances and played until 2001. As a coach, he helped the Springboks win back-to-back World Cup titles in 2019 and 2023.

Now dubbed the unofficial "best rugby coach in the world," Rassie once played alongside legends like Joost van der Westhuizen, Breyton Paulse, Percy Montgomery, and Nick Mallett.

Last year, Rassie received an honorary doctorate in the discipline of Coaching Science. from North West University. He is also the recipient of the 2024 FW de Klerk Goodwill Award.

HAS RASSIE ERASMUS ENFORCED THE RIGHT MINDSET AMONGST THE SPRINGBOKS?

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