The Springboks are set for a change of coach after the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan, with Rassie Erasmus declaring he would step down from the role to focus more on his other roles within the sport.
Erasmus, who signed a six-year contract to become the director of rugby in South Africa, became head coach last year when Allister Coetzee was sacked by the board.
However, the role requires him to work more broadly across the sport, with focus on juniors, women’s teams and the Super Rugby teams – the Stormers, Sharks, Lions and Bulls.
Becoming coach of the Springboks has meant he has had to neglect some of those roles and, in an interview with SuperSport in South Africa, he said the six-year contract was only to be the director of rugby, not coach of the Springboks.
“I’m only head coach until the World Cup next year,” said Erasmus.
“At the stage when I was appointed Director of Rugby, I still thought Allister Coetzee was continuing.
“The leadership asked Allister to step down, and then asked me to step in.
“The moment I am finished with this and for the next six months, I will be involved with the other South African rugby structures a lot.”
Erasmus said the only reason he agreed to come on as coach was because it would have been unfair to bring someone in from the outside and ask them to prepare the side for the World Cup, labelling it a ‘suicide job.’
“For somebody from the outside to all of a sudden have just 18 Test matches to prepare the team for the World Cup, I didn’t think that would be fair to that coach. It would have been a ‘suicide job’. And for myself, who’s been in the position before, it made sense when they asked me.
The coach has had mixed results, with two out of four wins on their recent Spring Tour, but a solid Rugby Championship which finished with victories over both New Zealand and Australia.
It’s not known when a new coach will be announced for the Springboks, however, his first task with the side won’t be until 2020.
Lara
Guest
Pity Erasmus doesn’t have a twin...good man to have on your team, hope SA Rugby don’t stuff up like RA so often do.
Superba
Guest
JN it is part of the job that there are loggerheads between the coach and SARugby and the SA govt . Ackermann thus well prepared . He could coach the side with Swys as assistant .
Superba
Guest
Who on earth would want that job with the SA govt on your back ? Jake White was sacked halfway through his last world cup . A poisoned chalice indeed .
Kane
Roar Guru
I was under the impression that Cheika had negotiated a lot of performance-based bonuses in his contract? If that truly is the case then RA should be flush with cash?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Agree on the second part but essentially putting one role on hold because you've shuffled people around is hardly thought and planning. It's reactionary. Quite possibly their best option. But then it leaves two options. The DOR is sitting there not being done properly, or if not, it's an unnecessary role.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
Wish we had him.
Peter Kelly
Guest
According to the article Erasmus chose to be the head coach till world cup as he did not think there was enough time from getting rid of previous coach, this would seem to show a bit of thought and planning. I would also think this will make for better insight when Erasmus reverts back to Director of Rugby.
ethan
Guest
Sadly, my expectation is that Cheika will stay. Clyne is a banker and knows they don't have the money for coach swaps. Also doubtful how much we can expect results to turn around under a new coach with such short preparation period. As you say, they may alter supports and so forth as a compromise.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
The role of Director of rugby is crucial for South African rugby going forward . Much more important than that of Bok coach . But who will replace Erasmus is a big question . Ackerman seems to be at loggerheads with SA Rugby . There is discontent at his constant attempts to poach players and support staff for Gloucester . Jake White ? Never ! Too headstrong . Rassie will want someone who will be subservient to his ideas . Can only be his current assistant coach ( also coach of JHB Lions ) Swys de Bruin .
Damo
Guest
I reckon there are pretty much 3 basic options for RA. 1. Keep the Coach and most of the supports. Same plan (because he won't change anything willingly). Same players (Ditto reason). Definition of insanity & a disastrous RWC outcome. 2. Keep the Coach, but undertake some heavy handed adjustments- new supports, including someone who can get consistent controlled mongrel and advantage line dominance from the forwards which we have lacked across these lean times. New selection oversight person. Review the game plan. Maybe a better result at RWC, but there is so little time. And MC will resist like crazy. My guess this is the most likely outcome but RA will sook out and make just a couple of cosmetic changes (read scapegoats). Result will be the same as 1. above 3. Coaching clean sweep. New coach, new game plan, player leadership group review. Again so little time. Virtually no squad contact till mid year & 4 tests max to set a game plan. Big cost penalty for RA. Would the right Coach be interested unless they are really up for a challenge (SA reckon 18 tests is not enough to get ready for RWC). RA would be shitting themselves that a rushed decision will really blow up in their faces, although they should be used to that by now. My bet is a hybrid version of 2. that is almost the same as 1. but reads better in the media release. And the outcome will be no different to 1.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
ethan - Maybe Rassie would prefer to have his family in a safer country and move to Australia to drag us out of the hole we have dug for ourselves?
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Sorry TWAS, I thought you were referring to Cheika as Peter finished his post referring to RA.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
"Erasmus, who signed a six-year contract to become the director of rugby in South Africa, became head coach last year when Allister Coetzee was sacked by the board." He was signed to do a DOR role across South African Rugby. The need to sack Coetzee has put him into the Head Coach role.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
better still the Jones Town option.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
TWAS: Dont understand mate. I thought he was hired as head coach?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Do they? Their current Head Coach wasn't even employed to be Head Coach...
ethan
Guest
I sure hope RA take the suicide job option.
Peter Kelly
Guest
At least SA seem to have a plan and a path for the future, unlike RA who have a process but no outcomes.
Smiggle Jiggle
Roar Guru
Bring in Johan Ackermann.