Rassie Erasmus is on the cover of the new issue of SA Rugby magazine, on sale this week.
Erasmus is the first to admit that he will be fired as Springbok coach if he doesn’t get results.
Erasmus has been given an unprecedented six-year contract but, as the sacking of Allister Coetzee shows, a piece of paper means little if your team isn’t performing. The Boks won just 11 out of 25 Tests in a dismal two-year period under Coetzee, but Erasmus believes they can turn things around quickly, starting with the matches against Wales and England in June.
In the new issue of SA Rugby magazine, the Bok coach talks about his plans to develop a winning culture and align South African rugby structures. He also addresses two hot topics in our game – transformation and the selection of overseas-based players.
Erasmus brought his right-hand man, Jacques Nienaber, back with him from Munster. The Bok assistant coach chats to us about his relationship with Erasmus (which began in the army), preparing the Boks’ defensive system in limited time, and what he expects from Eddie Jones’ England.
– Aphiwe Dyantyi was told he was too small to play rugby after school. Now he is making it big with the Lions
– Sharks centre Lukhanyo Am earned his first Springbok cap at the end of last year, and is hungry for more
– We look at the contenders for the Springbok No 9 jersey
– SPECIAL REPORT: Why World Rugby adopted a zero-tolerance approach to high tackles and its impact on the game
– Neil Powell on six future Blitzboks stars
– Should the Varsity Cup keep its power play and seven-point try innovations?
– How Huw Jones went from representing UCT in the Varsity Cup to playing Test rugby for Scotland
– Our Saffas in Europe XV, based on players’ recent form
– Why coaching Stade Français will be a huge challenge for Heyneke Meyer
PLUS: Os du Randt‘s Perfect XV + What happened to Bulls hooker Derick Kuün? + John Plumtree on being the next Hurricanes head coach + Inside the mind of Jannie du Plessis + Bishops vs SACS schools derby + Border‘s financial failures + Ireland‘s Grand Slam triumph
