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Rassie Erasmus has posted an X audio message from his hospital bed

173 days ago

Springboks boss Rassie Erasmus in Cardiff last Saturday (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Rassie Erasmus has posted an audio note from his hospital bed in South Africa wishing Springboks fans a Merry Christmas and reminding them to stay humble following a successful year for the team. Fresh from last year’s successful retention of the Rugby World Cup, the Boks rounded off their 13-game 2024 season with a comfortable 45-12 win in Wales last Saturday.

That was their 11th victory of a campaign where they drew a Test series with Ireland, won their first full Rugby Championship title since 2009 and also went unbeaten in their Autumn Nations Series tour of the UK.

Unlike numerous players who made their way to Monaco on Sunday where seven Springboks were named in the World Rugby dream team and Pieter-Steph du Toit was named player of the year, Erasmus flew home for shoulder surgery and has now taken to social media to update people on his health and to pass on festive greetings.

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Speaking on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, Erasmus said: “Guys and ladies, especially the South African people, those who support the Springboks but also those who aren’t into rugby so much, it’s Rassie Erasmus here.

“First of all, I want to say thank you for your great support this year. Even when we were trying some things and when things were not going well, you were always standing behind us. Thank you for that.

“Also, I have just had a shoulder op here… I don’t think pictures of it are worth showing. All okay. I think I will be out of hospital by the weekend.

“Then also to our players who made it into the world XV. Obviously, Sacha (Feinberg-Mngomezulu) was nominated (for breakthrough player of the year) and almost got it. All proud of those guys but I do think as South Africans we believe in each other and if you guys are happy with us, and even if you are not happy with us and give some critical messages and stuff, that just makes us want to work harder for you.

“I hope it’s a great time. It’s almost the festive season for the rugby players and the whole country… to all those fans have a good holiday. Also, let’s stay nice and humble and just support each other and help us to keep our feet on the ground.

“I know that we are playing for you guys and for South Africa. Also for the people abroad who understand and see what we stand for as Springboks. I appreciate that a lot and at the end of the day it’s all just a game that we are all proud of. Merry Christmas.”

Eramsus’ audio message was retweeted with a quote from the Springboks official X account. “We would like to wish our Springboks coach Rassie a speedy recovery from his operation. We are all very proud and grateful of the great season we have had and would also like to thank everyone for their wonderful support in 2024.”

We'd like to wish our #Springboks coach @RassieRugby a speedy recovery from his operation, we're all very proud and grateful of the great season we've had and would also like to thank everyone for their wonderful support in 2024 ???#ForeverGreenForeverGold https://t.co/JAm9yaF5N7
— Springboks (@Springboks) November 27, 2024

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 6 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 6 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 6 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 7 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 7 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 7 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 7 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 7 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 7 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 7 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 7 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 7 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 7 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍