Would Rassie ever coach England? His answer may surprise you!

After famously leading the Springboks to the 2019 Rugby World Cup title, Rassie Erasmus has moved into a new role as director of rugby, and oversaw the famous 2-1 series win against the British & Irish Lions last year.

After all the success Erasmus has enjoyed, it’s no surprise that he has been linked with top jobs around the world, and few will forget that even in early 2020 he was reported to have held talks with the English RFU to discuss the possibility of replacing Eddie Jones as England head coach

At that time, according to Sunday newspaper Rapport, the report cited two impeccable sources who claimed that while Erasmus still has a long-term contract with SA Rugby, there was a clause that could have allowed him to walk away earlier if he came to an agreement with the RFU.

Rassie Erasmus has said South Africa has his ‘heart’

In an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail, Erasmus has now spoken about the possibility of perhaps one day coaching England, and didn’t rule out that prospect.

“I don’t think the English people would ever want me there now. Maybe I am wrong. I hope I am wrong. Would I coach another country? If my own people were cool with it and the other country’s people were cool with it then why not?

“But if my own people are going to hate me for it, then I would never do it. I hate the fact that so many people hate me in rugby right now. I’m not a confrontational guy. I like to get on with people.

“South Africa has my heart but coaching England would be amazing because I think they can win. I would love to coach Ellis Genge. Any prop that looks the other prop in the eyes before a scrum, you know he’s a dog. You don’t want a prop that’s looking at his toes, scared. I want guys like Genge on my team.

“If South Africans accepted me doing that, like when Nick Mallett went to coach Italy, then of course I would love it. If I felt like South Africans were not going to hate me on the street then I would consider it.

“A couple of years ago, people would have said, ‘Go over there now, make a few pounds and be successful’. Things changed last year. Life is a bit different now.”