Rassie Erasmus, the renowned Springboks coach, has recently shared some candid thoughts about his past, publicly acknowledging his mistakes during his playing days.

The 52-year-old former rugby player reflected on his early career, admitting that his attitude as a young athlete wasn’t always the best.

In a throwback to his days on the field, Erasmus called himself “entitled” and “selfish,” offering a rare insight into his growth both as a player and a coach.

Self-Critique and Honesty About His Attitude

On his X account, Erasmus posted a clip of himself playing as captain of the Cats (now known as the Lions) and shared his honest self-critique: “Played lekka rugby but was an entitled a**hole of a teammate! Only played and worried about myself! I would never pick that version of myself for the Boks.”

He didn’t stop there, sharing another clip of his early days as a Springbok rookie, where he confessed, “This was my first five tests.

Rugby was not so lekka, but I did everything for the team.”

Erasmus acknowledged that maintaining a team-first mentality is vital to success, stating that losing sight of that could result in losing both teammates and respect.

A Focus on Teamwork, Not Ego

As a coach, Rassie Erasmus has consistently emphasized the importance of teamwork.

His leadership strategy prioritizes collective success over individual glory.

Under his guidance, big-name players like Siya Kolisi, Handre Pollard, and Eben Etzebeth have put the team before their personal ambitions.

One notable moment in a documentary clip, Chasing The Sun, saw Erasmus challenge his players, reminding them, “It’s not your right to wear the jersey, it’s a privilege.

Think of the people you represent.”

Erasmus’s tough love approach even extended to the captain, Siya Kolisi

. In another moment, he was heard saying, “What the f** is wrong with you? Have you become bigger than the game? I promise you Siya Kolisi is not the biggest thing in South Africa.

South Africa is the biggest thing in South Africa.”

This mindset has been embraced by the team, with Pieter-Steph du Toit, who was named World Rugby’s Player of the Year last month, echoing the sentiment: “Put your ego in your pocket, and if the team eats, every individual will eat.

If we win a World Cup, the team wins a World Cup.

If the team does well, the individual does well.”

Rassie’s Legacy and Unmatched Success as a Coach

Rassie Erasmus is no stranger to the spotlight.

After an accomplished playing career with teams like the Free State Cheetahs and Gauteng Lions, he made his Springbok debut in 1997.

Over his career, Erasmus earned 36 test match appearances before transitioning to coaching.

Under his leadership, the Springboks claimed back-to-back World Cup victories in 2019 and 2023, cementing his place as one of the most successful rugby coaches in history.

Now widely regarded as the “best rugby coach in the world,” Erasmus has worked alongside some of rugby’s biggest legends, including Joost van der Westhuizen, Breyton Paulse, Percy Montgomery, and Nick Mallett.

His contributions to the sport were recognized in 2023 when he was awarded an honorary doctorate in Coaching Science by North West University, and in 2024, he received the prestigious FW de Klerk Goodwill Award.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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