SARU recently announced that the new Springbok coach replacing Allister Coetzee will be Rassie Erasmus the current director of rugby at Rugby SA. He has been signed on as the new head coach for the next five years, he will combine his current role as director and the new position of coach.
“It is a huge task to coach the Springboks, and I am very privileged. I really believe we have the players and the rugby IP [intellectual property] to turn things around and to mount a serious challenge at next year’s Rugby World Cup,”
Rassie’s first real task is in less than 600 days when the Boks head off to Japan for the 2019 World Cup. Before that they have to get through 18 test matches but, Rassie’s outlook is positive and he claims preparation is already well underway.
We know Rassie has dedicated his life to Rugby and played as a Bok himself before retiring and coaching teams like the Cheetahs and Stormers. But, what else is there to know about our new Springbok coach.
The basics on Rassie Erasmus
Born October 5, 1972 in Despatch Eastern Cape he is 45 years old. He started his pro Rugby career in 1996 playing for Free State in the Currie Cup. In 1997 he was called up to join the Springboks and he played his first game on 5 July.
International career with the Springboks
Springbok matches: 39 (36 Test matches and 3 tour matches)
Positions: Flank (#34) No 8 (#2)
Test debut: July 5, 1997 v the British & Irish Lions in Joburg at age 24
Last Test: June 23, 2001 v France in Durban at age 28
Captained the Springboks for one match against Australia in Brisbane in 1999.
Those who no longer play coach
| 2004 | Coach | Free State Cheetahs |
| 2005-2007 | Head Coach | Free State Cheetahs |
| 2007 | Technical advisor | Springboks |
| 2008-2010 | Director of coaching/head coach | Stormers and WP |
| 2011 | Technical specialist | Springboks |
| 2012-2016 | SA Rugby General Manager | High Performance Teams/Rugby Department |
| 2016-2017 | Director of Rugby/head coach | Munster |
| 2017 | Director of Rugby | SA Rugby |