Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
NZ NZ

Rassie Erasmus vows his days as a water carrier are over

By AAP
Rassie Erasmus /Getty

South Africa’s director of rugby Rassie Erasmus is relishing being back in the coaching box for the international against Ireland in Dublin following his controversial role as water carrier.

ADVERTISEMENT

Erasmus has completed a match-day stadium ban for his video critique of Australian referee Nic Berry during last year’s British & Irish Lions series and, three years to the day since lifting the World Cup with the Springboks, reckons he’ll be delighted to be involved again on Sunday.

He used a loophole in regulations to act as a water carrier during the Lions series, getting messages to players on the pitch, a role that has since been outlawed by World Rugby.

Video Spacer

Video Spacer

“It was within the protocols when I was water carrier, but now I’ll be back in the coaching box,” he told reporters on Wednesday.

“I missed it a lot. I love rugby, being with the guys, it’s going to be nice to be around the boys in the changing room.”

South Africa’s last match against Ireland was in 2017 when they were thumped 38-3 in Dublin during one of the side’s lowest ebbs. Erasmus took over the following year and revitalised the team’s fortunes.

“We got a proper hiding that day, but in the next two years things got better and we managed to win the World Cup,” he said.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Both teams have changed dramatically in terms of how they play. Ireland, with the teams they have beaten and where they are currently (as the top-ranked side in the world), they are doing a lot of things right on and off the field.”

Erasmus is expecting a tense clash in Dublin, with the Boks likely to run the ball more, weather permitting, having selected fit-again Cheslin Kolbe at fullback and Damian Willemse at flyhalf.

“Ireland has a physical and tactical edge. If you take the experience of Johnny (Sexton) and some of the other guys in the team, it is well balanced.”

The Boks will also face Ireland in their pool at next year’s World Cup in France.

“It spices it up,” Erasmus said.

“We have also not beaten them in Ireland since 2012. Our last World Cup win was three years ago, and it was wonderful and great, but we are now thinking about the next one and trying to gain momentum.”

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Join free

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Episode 6

Sam Warburton | The Big Jim Show | Full Episode

Japan Rugby League One | Sungoliath v Eagles | Full Match Replay

Japan Rugby League One | Spears v Wild Knights | Full Match Replay

Boks Office | Episode 10 | Six Nations Final Round Review

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | How can New Zealand rugby beat this Ireland team

Beyond 80 | Episode 5

Rugby Europe Men's Championship Final | Georgia v Portugal | Full Match Replay

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

B
Bull Shark 3 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

29 Go to comments
FEATURE
FEATURE Why the All Blacks are serious about giving Sam Whitelock one last hurrah Why the All Blacks are serious about giving Sam Whitelock one last hurrah
Search