Rassie Erasmus and the rest of the Springbok coaching team. Images: Via X.
Inside Rassie Erasmus’ colourful Springbok-themed boys weekend
The Springboks’ coaching contingent were partying it up this weekend and Rassie Erasmus — kitted in his graduation robe and World Cup medals — was front and centre at the gathering.
Rassie Erasmus and the rest of the Springbok coaching team. Images: Via X.
Rassie Erasmus has always been a colourful character and this weekend was no different when he hosted the Springboks’ coaching personnel in Cape Town.
With the incoming mid-year Tests against Ireland and Portugal looming large, the Springbok coaches are busy plotting and planning for the challenges that lie ahead.
And this weekend was no different, as newly inducted Dr Rassie Erasmus hosted his fellow Bok staff members for social gathering in Cape Town.
Erasmus shared a series of images of him and the Springbok coaching team jovially interaction in a social setting, while they are treated to a private performance by local musician Ryno Velvet.
Addressing Springbok fans and the wider nation of South Africa, Rassie Erasmus captioned his post with the following message: “Having a lekka weekend after work!! Have a lekka one SA.”
One of the photos shared by Erasmus in particular has garnered a lot of attention, as it shows him in fitted out in his full graduation attire, coupled with his two Rugby World Cup winners’ medals around his neck and finished off with a pair of brand new Springbok-themed gold and green sneakers to which the label/tag is still attached.
In the photo, the Springbok boss also wields a sword in his hands.
RASSIE ERASMUS AND THE GANG IN PARTY MOOD
SPRINGBOKS IN HOT WATER
The jovial mood in the Springboks’ coaching camp comes despite a troubling report which suggests the world champions failed to meet the required transformation targets throughout the successful 2023 season.
SA Rugby’s annual audit report apparently does not reflect kindly on the Springboks’ contribution to transformation, after it was found that the Rassie Erasmus’ world champs did not select sufficient “generic black” players in 2023.
According to Sunday newspaper Rapport, SA Rugby’s 206-page audit report confirmed that the Springboks did not meet its transformation targets last year.
The audit is part of SA Rugby’s Strategic Transformation Development Plan for 2030, with government setting a target for national sports bodies to field teams that consist of 60% black and coloured players by 2030.
In 2023, the Springboks transformation targets were 54% for “generic black players” – which includes black and coloured players – of whom 27% had to be “ethnically black players”.
However, in the Rugby Championship, the Rassie Erasmus’ team consisted of 39% “generically black” players, of whom 13% were ethnic black players. During the successful World Cup title defence in France, the Boks used 38% “generically black” players – 16% of whom were ethnic black players.
