- Erasmus Won't Coach Another Nation
- Cites Emotional Connection with South Africa
- Continues as Springboks Head Coach
Double World Cup-winning South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus has revealed he has no intention of coaching another international side, citing a lack of emotional connection.
Erasmus, 51, cemented his status as one of rugby’s all-time great coaches after leading the Springboks to World Cup victories in 2019 and 2023. Despite his success, he insists he cannot envision himself at the helm of another national team.
“If you don’t know a culture of a team and their heartbeat, you don’t understand why they are playing and how their fans are,” Erasmus told BBC Sport. “I did consider it once and I loved my time at Munster as it was very Bloemfontein-like. But I wouldn’t know what makes another country tick.”
Following Jacques Nienaber’s departure to Leinster, Erasmus has reassumed his head coach role, having acted as South Africa’s director of rugby during their 2023 World Cup triumph.
In a candid interview on the Rugby Union Weekly podcast, Erasmus expressed his continued motivation to coach the Springboks, driven by the unique challenge of inspiring a nation.
“That pat on the shoulder for winning the World Cup, it’s nice and you enjoy that, but it is more the South Africans. If you see the South African people and the gratitude on people’s faces…” Erasmus explained.
He emphasized the power of unity and collective effort, saying: “It doesn’t matter what you are – if you are Christian, Muslim, Black, English, Afrikaans, Xhosa, Zulu. If you use the best of everybody, that’s what gives me a kick. It gives me a kick when people see what can be done. And the players are understanding that.”
Erasmus acknowledged the immense pressure that comes with coaching the Springboks but remains committed to the challenge. “It comes with a hell of a lot of pressure, but I would rather lose and keep on fixing it and [trying to] evolve.”
