Rassie Erasmus has already established himself as one of the greatest Springbok coaches of all time, but is he irreplaceable
Rassie Erasmus already holds a special place in Springbok history, with the legendary former player having masterminded South Africa’s charge to back-to-back World Cup titles, as well as a British & Irish Lions series win in 2021.
Although Erasmus shifted into a role as director of rugby between 2020 and 2023, he remained very much at the helm of the Springboks, and he has now resumed duties as head coach until 2027.
This year he oversaw the Springboks cementing their position as the No 1 team in the world rugby rankings, while claiming the Rugby Championship for the first time in a ‘full’ double round format. During this run to the title, the Springboks recorded a historic fourth consecutive win against the All Blacks for the first time in 75 years, and lifted the Freedom Cup for the first time in 15 years.
As head coach, his win percentage now sits at 71.79%, but his influence has been far greater than just on-field results considering how he has successfully rebuilt the team culture, game-plan and selection policies.
Springbok ‘genius’ Rassie Erasmus is a one-of-a-kind coach
Erasmus will serve as the Springboks’ head coach through to the 2027 World Cup, which would effectively place him in a position to ultimately have served at the helm of the national side for close to a decade by the time he finishes.
The 52-year-old has already made it clear that he would not be willing or interested in coaching any other national team, but there is every chance his time with the Springboks may come to an end after the next World Cup.
Whatever the case may be, SA Rugby may need to begin to consider their succession planning, and who could be the next head coach if a change is required at the end of 2027.
A case could be made for SA Rugby to appoint a foreign coach for something ‘different’, but it would be extremely difficult for them to fully appreciate and understand the intricacies of South African rugby.
When looking at the domestic coaches in South Africa, Stormers boss John Dobson was once considered a strong candidate to have a future with the Springboks, but he has recently indicated that he wouldn’t pursue any other opportunity after his time with the Cape franchise comes to an end.
Meanwhile, Johann van Graan has taken English side Bath to new heights, transforming a club that hit rock bottom two seasons ago to the top of the English Premiership log. He could be a very strong candidate to return to the Springbok set up in the years to come.
Franco Smith, champion coach of the Glasgow Warriors in the United Rugby Championship last season, is another strong contender for higher honours.
An option to promote from within
Within the current South African setup, though, assistant coach Mzwandile Stick has worked alongside Rassie Erasmus for the better part of the last five years at the Springboks.
By all accounts, he has grown immeasurably as a coach during this time, going from strength to strength in terms of his overall contribution to the team.
Stick is an extremely popular figure with the players, but he is also a man of strong convictions, capable of cracking the whip when necessary.
The 40-year-old was once viewed as the scapegoat during the initial unsuccessful Allister Coetzee tenure, but Erasmus knew that Stick could add great value when he welcomed him back into the national coaching setup from 2018.
Stick has gained invaluable experience in the Bok management, and is incredibly familiar with the system, culture and nuances of the Springboks team and within South African rugby.
To once again promote from within the Springboks coaching setup would represent calm and clear-minded thinking, and duly reward Stick for his progression as highly-regarded coach who boasts all the necessary attributes to take on this challenging job.
The Springboks can ultimately rest calmly in the knowledge that if and when it comes time to consider who should be the next head coach, they really won’t have to look too far.
