Rugby Union News: Springboks Coach Rassie Erasmus Praised Ahead of Rugby Championship Opener
Published on August 5, 2023, by SENZ Radio
Rugby World Cup winner Joel Stransky has lauded Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus for his exceptional leadership and strategic planning ahead of their Rugby Championship opener against the Wallabies in Brisbane on Saturday.
Erasmus, who masterminded back-to-back World Cup triumphs for South Africa in 2019 and 2023, has continued to evolve the team’s game plan and player development despite their recent successes. Stransky believes Erasmus’ long-term vision and willingness to blood young talent have been instrumental to the Springboks’ continued dominance.
The Springboks have made some bold selection calls for the clash against Australia, with rookie Stormers utility back Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu handed the fly-half jersey and four-Test Bulls back-rower Elrigh Louw earning a starting berth at number eight. Stransky, who earned 22 Test caps for South Africa as a fly-half, praised Erasmus’ ability to seamlessly integrate young players into the team’s systems.
“Rassie has proved himself to be this genius coach. He’s had the odd issue here and there but, for the best part, he’s done sensationally well,” Stransky told SENZ Radio. “And what he’s done so well is he’s controlled the age in the team, the number of caps. He’s nurtured players, brought in the young guys, bred them for six months, eight months, 18 months.”
Stransky highlighted Erasmus’ long-term planning and his willingness to give opportunities to young talent, citing the examples of Damian Willemse and the newly-selected Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Louw. The former Springbok fly-half believes Erasmus’ bold selection calls and transparent team announcements have sent a strong message to their opponents.
“I think what I love about it is the fact that he announces the team early, the team knows on Monday who’s playing, so they go out and train like that. They train confidently like that. There’s no secrets. It almost says to the opposition, ‘this is who we are’.”
As the Springboks prepare to face the Wallabies, Stransky expressed confidence in the balance of experienced and inexperienced players in the squad, praising Erasmus’ ability to build depth and keep the team’s performance standards high.
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