Rassie Erasmus has firmly cemented his place as one of the most respected coaches in Springbok history. Not only has he led the national team to back-to-back World Cup victories, but he’s also steered them to a memorable British & Irish Lions series win and, more recently, secured the Rugby Championship title in the new ‘full’ double-round format.
Beyond the trophies, Erasmus has transformed the team’s playing style, implementing a philosophy centered on the ‘Stronger Together’ mantra that resonated with the nation. His approach has also taken a strong stance on transformation, further solidifying his legacy.
But what has driven this remarkable success? While it’s tough to pinpoint one factor, many of his peers, players, and fellow coaches have shared valuable insights. Among them is Johann van Graan, head coach of Bath, whose coaching expertise has propelled Bath to the top of the Premiership.
In a recent interview, Van Graan highlighted the tactical brilliance that makes Erasmus one of the world’s best coaches, helping the Springboks rise to the top spot globally.
“Three things I’ll say about Rassie… Number one, he knows how to win a rugby game. Number two, he has a unique ability to identify the right players and people off the field to create a winning mix. And number three, he absolutely loves South Africa,” Van Graan said.
“If you understand the game, know what people you need to succeed, and have a deep love for your country, that’s a potent combination. He’s been incredible for the Springboks, and we’re all proudly South African.”
Looking ahead, the Springbok coaches are preparing for the 2025 season with their first in-person planning block starting Friday, March 7. This will be followed by an alignment camp in Cape Town with 56 players from Monday, March 10. After that, virtual alignment camps will be held for players based in Japan, Europe, and a few domestic players recovering from injury on March 27.
Here’s the full Springbok management team:
- Head Coach: Rassie Erasmus
- General Manager: Charles Wessels
- Assistant Coaches: Tony Brown, Deon Davids, Jerry Flannery, Daan Human, Felix Jones, Mzwandile Stick
- Mobi-Unit Coach: Duane Vermeulen
- Head of Athletic Performance: Andy Edwards
- Laws and Discipline Advisor: Jaco Peyper
- Performance Analyst: Paddy Sullivan
- Technical Analyst: Lindsay Weyer
- Sport Scientist: Sebastian Prim
- Team Doctor: Dr. Jerome Lehlogonolo Mampane
- Physiotherapists: Dr. Anuerin Robyn, Lance Lemmetjies
- Logistics Manager: JJ Fredericks
- Operations Manager: Zintsika Tashe
- Media Manager: Zeena Isaacs van Tonder
- Dietician: Robyn Moore
