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'The difference between us and others': Erasmus' Bok 'transformation'

Siya Kolisi of South Africa embraces Rassie Erasmus, Coach of South Africa, after the Rugby World Cup Final match between New Zealand and South Africa at Stade de France on October 28, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Michael Steele - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)

With two World Cups to his name now, one as head coach and one as director of rugby, Rassie Erasmus is already being heralded as one of, if not the best coach in rugby’s history.

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It is clear to see that the 51-year-old has revolutionised South African rugby, but it is harder to know exactly how he has achieved that. But his captain Siya Kolisi recently gave an insight into what Erasmus did behind the scenes after becoming director of rugby in 2017, and later head coach, which made the Boks the force they currently are.

Speaking recently to Jim Hamilton on RugbyPass TV’s The Big Jim Show, the double World Cup winning captain explained what makes the Springboks different to other teams and how Erasmus transformed the team, starting with making Kolisi captain in 2018. The 32-year-old shed some light on the culture that Erasmus has created- where the team is more important than the individual, and, more importantly, how they do not forget who they are representing.

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Siya Kolisi and Jim Hamilton in Paris | preview | RPTV

Jim Hamilton visited Siya Kolisi at his new club in Paris, Racing 92, for an in depth chat about life since the 2023 RWC final. Watch the full chat for free on RugbyPass.TV

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Siya Kolisi and Jim Hamilton in Paris | preview | RPTV

Jim Hamilton visited Siya Kolisi at his new club in Paris, Racing 92, for an in depth chat about life since the 2023 RWC final. Watch the full chat for free on RugbyPass.TV

Watch now

“People don’t speak enough about him and they don’t get him. We get him,” Kolisi said of his head coach.

“He started talking about the country and how things were in the past.

“How transformation is important and if we’re to win, we have to transform, we need squad depth. He started talking about transformation whereas in the past it was a hidden thing.

“He’s up front with the players. The Springboks were different in the old days and we’re going to give opportunities to people to try and make this South Africa team look more diverse.

“He reminds us sometimes when we complain or when we lose motivation, he’s like ‘remember what’s going on in the country, you are the one percent, you do what you love. Don’t forget where you come from. Think about that boy, the young Siya that’s out there, when you want to give up.’

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“He calls it out when you get big-headed, my teammates too. That’s what’s great about our team.

“When guys get subbed – I get subbed at 45 minutes sometimes – and I know why. Because I’m not as effective as I usually am. Then Kwagga [Smith] will come in and they win the game. It doesn’t mean I like it, but I’m comfortable enough to know the team is more important. I think that was the difference between us and others.

“Some players would get pissed off when they’re subbed off early. But we’ve had hard conversations as a group. That’s what I really enjoy, when we have honest and serious conversations. You get hurt, but you don’t take it to heart, you move on the next day.”

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Comments

4 Comments
B
Bob 282 days ago

In Rassie we trust!

P
Pecos 282 days ago

Was 1 point.

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T
TT 55 minutes ago
'No, it’s not, that’s the truth' - Andy Farrell rubbishes Ireland subplot

ABs by 4……


IF

The Razor gang has given the AB’s a game plan A, B, C & etc (unlike so many AB games since 2016). &


IF

AB’s play 80+ minutes. &


IF

ABs do their individual & team jobs error free (‘ish)  (unlike so many AB team since 2016). &


IF

All the ‘critical V Ireland’ AB form mobile forwards stay on field for the 80min S.Barrett, Sititi, Savea, and Vaa’i swap with Cane when he tires & Tuipulotu comes on. Finau back up. &


IF

The 10's get a better ‘cunning game plan’ than BB, ie his kicky, kicky, kicky, kicky, kicky, kicky, kicky, ETC! (& MacK does have a better game plan). &


IF

Aumua can throw to lineouts . &


IF

The AB’s can remember their lineout calls (unlike too many V England games 1, 2 & 3). &


IF

Williams can be coached to stop being sucked into experienced tactics to drop him to the ground. &


IF

The AB coaches, teach all ABs some ‘soccer like’ drama queen fouling acting skills to make clear to the ref 1 of the most common Irish tactics ie obstruction by ‘stray’ decoy attackers around contact zone (tackle, ruck, maul). &


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The ABs have their arm out away if not tackling any, again, decoy attackers  (or defenders) that run into them to try milk penalties as England did (eg penalty  against  Cane the worst). &


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There's no food poisoning.

7 Go to comments
J
JW 1 hour ago
How can Scott Robertson revive the All Blacks’ playmaking ‘triple threat’?

HAHA don't ask me that! You tell me, if McMillian was the AB coach would he be selecting Dmac over Mo'unga!?!


Look, Dmac is clearly first choice. Razor said BB was a selection "just for this game", Dmac was always leading the two big ones. They rotated BB and Mounga the same way in 22.


Firstly, I'm a fan of BB when he's not gun shy. Do I think he's a first five? Of course not, he can hardly pass the ball 5 meters. Do I think he's likely to play again after being concussed? No, end of discussion.


Do I hate Mo'unga? No, of course not. He was the only reason we got within cooee of SA, him finding his footing at International level was their main reason for success. Do I think that resulted in him being a game orchestra or having played well in black the years prior to that? Of course not. Maybe you were just on the end of the better AB performances fran, outside of those games I'd suggest he wasn't as influential as you think. He has a good kicking game for sure, but it's certainly not up there with Carter or even some current 10s, and it's certainly not much better than DMac's (understand you own opinion still won't say that) despite him having a lot more development and experience.


He would obviously get a great opportunity from Razor if he came back, and DMac would possibly find he can be a good fullback or bench player under Razors guidance, but if you're wrong and Dmac actually performed better than Richie running the show, then he'll having Damien as his 10 come RWC time.


TLDR, JWH is a Cantab, Richie is one of my favourite players, we just think you've got the wrong context in this article and I think you're way off the mark on Richies strengths.

44 Go to comments
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