Erasmus lauds his winning skipper
South Africa’s World Cupwinning coach, Rassie Erasmus, last night lauded his skipper, Siya Kolisi. Erasmus paid a glowing tribute to 28-year-old Kolisi, who was appointed captain in May 2016 and has now lifted rugby union’s ultimate prize.
“It is easy to talk about going through hard times and struggling to get opportunities,” Erasmus said.
“But it is tough when there are days when you didn’t have food or couldn’t go to school or didn’t have shoes to wear.
“When you sit down and think about it, there was a stage when Siya didn’t have food to eat and, yes, that is the captain and he led South Africa to hold this cup and that is what Siya is.”
The coach, who took over at the helm in March 2018, insists the pressure of playing for South Africa is a privilege.
Erasmus stated: “In South Africa pressure is not having a job, having a close relative who is murdered.
“Rugby should not create pressure, it should create hope. We have a privilege, not a burden.
“Hope is when you play well and people watch the game and have a nice brai (barbecue), and no matter of political or religious difference for those 80 minutes, you agree when you usually disagree.”
South Africa’s World Cup triumph has set up the 2021 Test series against the Warren Gatland-coached British and Irish Lions.
“When I took over, it was 618 days to the World Cup and we planned to win it,” Erasmus said.
“It is now 614 days to the British and Irish Lions and we will start planning now.”