SA’s Kermit starting to show French flair

SOUTH AFRICAN soccer forward Kermit Erasmus says he is “living the dream” in France following his move to Ligue 1 club Stade Rennes in January.

The 26-year-old left Orlando Pirates eight months ago after securing the move and is now preparing for the new campaign under the tutelage of Christian Gourcuff.

Erasmus admits he is still battling to master the French lingua as well as the high-tempo football in France but says his teammates have gone to great lengths to help him adapt to life in Rennes.

“Gélson Fernandes (his teammate), in particular, has been helpful. He knows what it’s like playing in a foreign country, and he’s helped me a lot on the field, motivating me and helping me with the language.”

And while he is training hard, Kermit has hit the books too, to lear n French.

“It’s coming along slowly. Speaking is quite difficult but I understand a lot more than I can speak.”

Erasmus was used sparingly in his first six months at the French club, scoring just one goal for the reserve team.

Now he’s keen to nail down a regular spot in the first team for the new season.

“My experience has been great so far – tough but nothing I didn’t expect and I’m really excited for the season ahead,” he says.

“My main goal is to play regularly in the starting line and to be an important player for the team – a player that the team can depend on and to score goals that will win us games.”

Stade Rennes kicked off their 2016-17 season two weeks ago, losing 1-0 to Nice.

Erasmus was brought on as a sub and played his first minutes of the new season.

While he has yet to score a goal for the first team, he says he cherished his goal for the reserves in a 5-0 whipping of French fifth-division side TA Rennes earlier this year.

“Scoring is always good, especially in your first game. It was a joy and motivation to work harder and focus on scoring more.” The Port Elizabeth-born soccer star said it has been amazing to play in front of Rennes fans, whom he describes as “incredibly passionate”.

“The fans don’t stop singing, whether we are winning or losing. They keep cheering us on and that’s what I love.”

Off the field, Erasmus says he and his wife and children have settled in well. While footballers are forced to follow strict diets, Erasmus admits he does enjoy indulging in French desserts from time to time.

“French food is good. My favourite is crème brûlée.”

As much as he is enjoying life in France, Eras- mus admits he does miss South Africa and his former club, Orlando Pirates. He enjoyed a successful career with the Buccaneers.

“The thing I miss mostly about South Africa is my family and friends. Playing for Pirates has been the highlight of my career.”

However, for him, signing with Stade Rennes has been the best decision of his footballing career.

“It was a very exciting time for me and my family because coming back to Europe has always been a goal that I had set myself since returning to South Africa, which made it a fairly easy decision.

“A huge thanks must go to Dr Irvin Khoza for granting me his blessing to take this opportunity in Europe.”