Tightheads & Loose Balls
● After being unveiled as Springbok coach, Rassie Erasmus was keen to talk up Mzwandile Stick. After the Boks’ misadventures in 2016 assistant coach Stick was redeployed. “I don’t think people realise it wasn’t Stick who did attack when he was with the Boks," reminded Erasmus. "It was actually Johann van Graan."
● Erasmus explained the decision to include Stick on a streamlined coaching staff. "I am very excited about Stick. I’m also excited by the fact that people haven’t actually seen what he really can do. In Sevens he would have learnt about work rate, enthusiasm, getting into a better position, what you do off the ball. He’s done that for seven, eight years," said Erasmus, who will now plot the Bok attack along with the former Sevens star.
● As a former player Erasmus was asked about the whereabouts of his Bok blazer and when he last wore it. "In 2011, with Peter de Villiers," he said about the Boks’ RWC exit in the quarters. “I don’t think it is a comfortable fit. Maybe that’s why it is in the car," he quipped.
● He’s been running around putting out fires that SA Rugby president Mark Alexander, who recently helped broker a deal to have rugby commentary return to the airwaves of the national broadcaster, momentarily forgot where he was this week. "We are looking forward to many great Castle Free moments in the future," he said at the announcement of the Springbok Sevens team’s sponsorship (worth R100-million over three years). "Thank you SABC. Uh, thank you SAB, and thanks to the media that came today."
● The Springbok media manager also had a word association malfunction this week, though it could be put down to a blond moment. In introducing Erasmus to some members of the media he pointed to an experienced journalist from the SABC, saying: "This is Harry Viljoen." Now let’s be honest, Harry Olivier has blond hair not dissimilar to that of Viljoen, but that’s where the resemblance stops.
● The Lions caused quite a stir this week when they advised they would not have a team announcement press conference in the build-up to the Trans Jukskei derby. Instead they forwarded a link to Mark Zuckerberg’s domain which immediately got the thumbs-down. Some hacks wondered aloud if coach Swys de Bruin didn’t want to explain his team selections.