He won’t be a “waterboy” this time, but Rassie Erasmus cannot wait to be a part of the Springboks’ preparations for Saturday’s encounter in Dublin against Ireland.
Erasmus hopes to celebrate his 50th birthday on Saturday with a Bok success, since the South Africans were defeated 38-3 at the same location in 2017.
He had played a key role in assisting the Boks on the field since Jacques Nienaber took over as coach after the 2019 World Cup, but a change in World Rugby regulations prohibits Erasmus from being on the sidelines as he is the director of rugby for South African Rugby.
However, the former loose forward is excited to play on Saturday following the end of his World Rugby suspension for his controversial video criticizing Australian referee Nic Berry’s performance during last year’s British and Irish Lions series.
Erasmus stated, “Obviously it was in the procedure back when I was the water carrier, so I will return to the coaches’ box.”
“I’ve learned a great deal about rugby. I enjoy matchdays and being in the locker room with the boys. I greatly missed it, and it’s great to be back. It is unpleasant to be apart from the team.
“During the week, you work with the men, and then you board the bus with the players and retire to your hotel.” I adore rugby, and I adore South Africa. I enjoy the boys, and we get along quite well. It’s a pleasure to return.”
Erasmus is well-equipped to provide the South Africans with inside information on their opponents, having spent nearly two years in Ireland as the director of rugby at Munster prior to becoming Bok coach in 2018.
In addition, former Bulls lock Jason Jenkins now plays for the Dublin-based Leinster after being a member of the Munster squad last season, so he will also have an extensive understanding of the Irish team.
However, the 2019 World Cup-winning coach does not believe it will play a significant impact on Saturday.
“It’s one thing for me to be familiar with the Irish system, but the Irish coaches and players also know me well. Jason Jenkins is also with us, and the situation can also be viewed in reverse. Erasmus stated, “We’d almost like to get the inside information out of the way.”
“Whatever you receive on the inside, you give much away. When Jason joins us and then returns to Leinster, he will also have extensive knowledge of the Boks.
“However, we will never choose a man for this reason; it would be foolish to interfere with a man’s career.
I think… It pertains to the plans that we make, and we have analyzed them thoroughly. But I know they would have done the same thing, and if they hadn’t, they wouldn’t be where they are now.
“On Saturday, it will be exciting to watch which of these strategies and plans work. We are fairly optimistic, and I’m sure they are as well, so this should be a nice matchup.”