Rassie to reignite Boks
OPTIMISTIC BUT KNOWS IT’S NO WALK IN THE PARK Long-term vision is to get Boks within the top two in the world rankings.
New Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus is under no illusions regarding the tough task that awaits him. The 45-year-old Erasmus, who was appointed as SA Rugby’s director of rugby late last year, was also announced as Allister Coetzee’s successor as head coach yesterday and will oversee both roles on a six-year contract that will run until the end of the 2023 World Cup in France.
“The contract is for six years, but we all know if we don’t win regularly there won’t be six years,” said Erasmus yesterday.
“We all know you’ll be out earlier if you don’t get the desired results. The name of the game is results.”
Erasmus said the Boks would have to start beating big sides like England to give people hope again and to get players to remain in the country.
“I don’t want to play down the World Cup next year. I really believe we are in with a big chance because I have been on the other side in the UK and know how good our players are,” he said. “So I say let’s align quickly and then we are in with a big chance.
“The short-term goals are Wales and England in June. Let’s get past those hurdles first, get the morale up, get that winning feeling and get some positiveness around the Bok team again.”
Erasmus said he has shared a lot of information with the franchises and “bounced a lot of stuff off them”.
“Because we get so much access currently, we see the training and we are on the field. Camps will be the icing on the cake because it’s not the first time we’ll see them, get to assess them and get their visuals right.”
He also indicated that transformation will be high on his agenda. “I understand the targets and will see how much we can hit those targets,” he added.
His long-term vision is to get the Boks within the top two in the world rankings. They are currently ranked No 6.
Erasmus will have three assistant coaches in Jacques Nienaber, Pieter de Villiers and Mzwandile Stick, while his former Munster colleague Aled Walters has been appointed head of athletic performance. –