Rassie on Evan Roos omission

By Warren Fortune

Thursday 23 Oct 2025

11

REACTION: Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus took some time on social media to answer questions about one particular position ahead of his side’s end-of-year tour.

The debate around Evan Roos and the No.8 jersey has continued this week after the Stormers star was left out of the Bok squad for matches against Japan, France, Italy, Ireland and Wales.

Roos has been a key player for the Capetonians in the opening rounds of this season’s United Rugby Championship. He has also scored four tries.

However, he could only make the Springboks’ 10-man standby list for the upcoming tour, and some fans wanted answers from the Bok coach.

On X, one fan asked: “What happened between you and Roos, oom? You need to clear the air because this isn’t a normal situation.”

Erasmus replied: “My friend he is a world-class player and will play many Test matches for the Boks, we just have to really good eights in Jasper [Wiese] and Kwagga [Smith], and in my opinion, they are still delivering at a higher level than Evan!! So, who to drop.? One thing is a given, he is a Test match player and will probably make it in 2027.”

Meanwhile, another fan wrote: “Kwagga is a world-class player and individual, but he hasn’t excelled in the No.8 position. With all due respect and no arrogance meant, he wouldn’t be a starting 8 for any top-tier provincial or international side. You’ve gotten this selection completely wrong.”

Erasmus again took time to reply to that statement.

“Obviously, we are not always right, and I hear and understand what you say!! Thanks for the way you discuss these things! I appreciate it! Ras,” was the Bok coach’s response.

The Springboks will begin their end-of-year tour against Japan at Wembley Stadium on November 1.

Bullshit Rassie - the fans are right - Kwagga is not an 8 and no player needed to be dropped as 36 could easily have been 37

It's obvious that his omission is not about his rugby only.

Rassie is dead wrong in not playing him more...he can cover 6,7,8 and 12/13 from the bench. He should be in the 23 every match.

Rassie will weather the storm from supporters but will stand by his decision not to pick Roos.

Once the noise dies down, fans will slowly calm and become less vocal about Roos.

By then, Erasmus still won’t have selected him, and the real reason behind his dislike for Roos will no longer matter.

Also... if you have two really good 8s...why did you invite Trokkie, Roos and Dups?

Why, during Wiese's ban, Dups and Trokkie;s injuries, did you never call Roos up when he was clearly in line.

The only reason Rassie had him in the alignment camps was to make it appear as though Roos is in the running. He never was - and that's why none of Roos' current form is being taken into account and why Rassie would rather go on EOYT with Wiese as his only proper 8.

There is no excuse for excluding Roos from the squad. None.

Despite my reservations, I can't deny that he deserves a crack at proving his worth.

Rassie’s treatment of Roos is piss poor

Why, during Wiese's ban, Dups and Trokkie;s injuries, did you never call Roos up when he was clearly in line.

Exzekerly.

My thoughts as well.

Is Dr. Lucky really concerned about how his decisions affect the players’ mental state?

I don’t think so. If he truly cared, why wouldn’t he play Jean-Luc after picking him countless times already? Or Jean Kleyn, Swampie Swart, Nico JV Rensburg…

Why would he tell Roos to improve on certain aspects of his game, but then not select him? After all that hard work, all Roos has is the standby list….

He tells himself he’s doing them an honour, but in reality, he’s embarrassing them.

It must be the worst feeling — being selected, yet not trusted to play.

In my opinion, his motivation in cases like this, including Roos, is driven by his egotistical nature.

Yes, Dr. Lucky can appear humble, but a big part of him thrives on narcissistic and self-centred traits.

Mpuff have you met Rassie in person - for it sure sounds like it

Davies, no, I haven’t met Rassie — and I said clearly it’s my opinion.

But you don’t need to share a braai with someone to see patterns in their behaviour.

Rassie shows enough of himself in pressers, interviews, and how he treats players for anyone with half a brain to read between the lines.

What’s funny though, is how you also take shots at Rassie when it suits you — but the moment I turn up the heat, you fold straight back into your Groupie routine.

Pick a side, Guy. Either you’re critical, or you’re a cheerleader. You can’t be both!

Oh fuck off I’m not stupid enough to label someone the way you have based on some half cocked opion

If there was evidence out there from players he had previously coached etc then fair enough, you would be entitled to formulate the opinions you have

Rassie comes across as a genuine great guy and his players are on record saying how good he is with people

If he was everything you say he is, people would have picked up on that ages ago and he would not have achieved the success he has being a dick

So go shove your ignorant opinions up your arse

I take issue with his selections not him as a person

Try wake up and work out the difference

"Pick a side, Guy. Either you’re critical, or you’re a cheerleader. You can’t be both!"

It's not about being cheerleaders, it's about acknowledging exceptional achievement, reviewing actions and commenting on issues. Nobody will be right all of the time and will be pleasing everybody all of the time...including exceptional performers like Rassie...he also is prone to his own bias...it depends on how we express our disagreement...calling probably the best Bok coach ever a lucky and egotistical/narcissist doos is not only disrespectful in the highest degree, it's also petty, unreasonable and totally detached from reality...any attempt at spinning it into some sort of reasonable criticism is laughable horse manure and should be answered with the contempt it deserves.

I think eople have to rhe ri g ht to doiffer from the decisions of Erasmus and in my book Kwagga this ear t hus far was nt the layer he used to be last year. He is 32 years old already and if Erasmus is really clear on issues he s hould npt pick Van Staden in any loosie position position - he si nopt a loosie's arse,

Performance wise if he above is correct he ould not pick Hanekom either - so what is clear here there is csoemthing amiss in Erasmus viewpoint on Roos.

Spot on Draad

Davies, you seem a little worked up there, Guy.

For someone who claims to “take issue with selections, not the man,” you sure don’t mind throwing a few personal insults around.

It’s always the same story with you — free to swear at and belittle others, but the moment someone digs deeper into Rassie’s behaviour, suddenly it’s “ignorant opinions” and “go shove it up your arse.”

That double standard says more about you than it does about me.

You’ve also had plenty to say about Rassie in the past — but now that I’ve called out the person behind the performance, you crawl back into the fan-club tent.

Typical Saffolk the Fake: full of bark, no consistency.

And Draad — easy there, big guy :)

Nobody’s denying Rassie’s achievements. But acting like success automatically cancels out criticism?

That’s the kind of blind loyalty that turns sharp rugby talk into groupie gospel.

So relax, both of you. I’ve got my opinion, and I’m not here to join the Groupie choir :)

Mpuff crawl back under your rock.

Next time you point fingers at someone try rely on some material evidence instead of sucking that load of ignorant shit out of your dumb arse

Its pretty obvious that Rassie is none of the insulting traits you label him as - only a fucking idiot would come up with shit like that

Someone who is very dumb

Porker , you and your little groupie circle are seriously blind if you can’t see the ego dripping off Rassie these days.

You call him “a great guy,” yet this same “great guy” openly swore at players in the World Cup changeroom, belittling them for giving away a penalty — and you think that’s leadership?

That’s not humility, that’s ego dressed up as passion.

Then there’s his hypocrisy in selections: guys like Jean-Luc, Roos, Ruben V Heerden, Reinhardt Ludwig and other white forwards get rotated, benched, or ignored…

while players like Bongi, Nyakane, Kollisi, Moerat keep getting endless chances, no matter their form. If that’s not double standards, then what is it?

But I guess you, Draad, Rooi Tit and the two Old Lunatic Cheerleaders Beeno and Uncle BS, prefer not to notice — because questioning Saint Dr. Kak Lucky, isn’t allowed in the fan club, right?

So carry on worshipping the man if you want. I’ll keep calling it as I see it — without the green-tinted glasses:)

Let’s face it this Roos omission is personal and that dishonest response is disrespectful to fans. If there’s something in Roos’ game that doesn’t fit our playing style, he should just say so. But if it’s personal and coaches have the right to exclude players they think are disruptive, don’t pretend he’s suddenly going to be playing for the Boks in a WC year.

Fuck me Mpuff you are really are profoundly thick

So now a coach swearing in the change room is belittling - wow you really are both thick and a wet blanket

Your take on Rassie has zero credibility and serves only to evidence how pathetic you are

I guess every coach has his bad selection where he simply doesn't a player in his team for what ever reason. No matter how good they are.

Jake left Gary Botha out for many years and he was probably better than Smit but he was captain. Side mention to Luke Watson but we all knew how toxic he was for the environment. More so his Dad and the ANC cadre that ruined his rugby career by reinforcing him with political BS.

Meyer left Vermeulen out for many years before he was picked or was it Snorre.

So there are some players that could feel hard done by.

I think Roos is one of those.

I think Rassie doesn't want to an attacking 8 and doesn't suite his game plan. He wants a stamper at 8, basher

Not so much Gary Botha it was more Bismark missing out to Smit

Bismark was so much better than Smit - Smit was eventually moved to tighthead which never worked

"But acting like success automatically cancels out criticism?"

No we don't, we question a lot of his selections, we just don't attack his character like you and Moz do...and stop attributing his success to luck...and mocking his honorary doctorate? What's the point of that if not petulant spite?

They use the word lucky exactly because there seems to be a failure of logic when getting you guys to admit that 3 single points win in knockout games is by definition about as lucky as you can be...as anyone has ever been.

You hear arguments like "But the Boks scrum was dominant, how is that luck?" or "You can't say it's lucky because rugby is all about random things happening." Obviously illogical arguments that demonstrate a clear failure in the ability to understand basic language.

If a car narrowly misses you as you cross the road...you say "I am lucky to be alive because that was very close." Right? Well, why? Because the smallest change in timing could mean that the car would have hit you...obviously.

You call it luck because at that tiny margin, the smallest incident can sway the result.

The same logic applies when winning a game, or three games, by the closest margin possible.

If a car wizzes down the road twenty minutes after you crossed, you don't call it luck when you "survive"...because it wasn't close. Arriving at the road a bit earlier or a bit later would have zero impact on whether the car would have hit you.

Oh what crap we won because we were the best side at the competition as we are now

We won because the game is played over 80 min by 23 players - it’s a culmination of so much before the end whistle

Luck comes into every aspect of life but to say we won all three games in a row by luck is both insulting to the players and evidence of pure rugby ignorance by those that advocate we won thanks to luck.

Calling our coach Dr Lucky on the strength of this ignorance is beyond insulting but we know how you lot roll - nothing changes there

Imagine true Bok supporters putting our WC triumph down to luck especially considering it was the toughest route to the final ever

"Luck comes into every aspect of life but to say we won all three games in a row by luck is both insulting to the players and evidence of pure rugby ignorance by those that advocate we won thanks to luck. "

Nobody is saying it was all luck.

Luck in this instance = a small random thing deciding who wins or loses when both sides are nearly the same.

Which is not the same as walking down the road and finding a wad of cash on the ground...that's pure luck.

If those were 50/50 games winning 3 of them in a row has a probability of 12.5%.

There it is again, the Rassie Groupie Choir in full voice.

You two act like questioning the man’s ego is the same as disrespecting the jersey. It’s not. It’s called having a balanced view, something both of you clearly struggle with.

I’ve never once denied the Boks’ achievements, but pretending that luck didn’t play a role in three one-point wins is pure fan fiction. Rugby isn’t just about effort; it’s also about margins, momentum, and yes — a bit of luck.

As for “Dr Lucky,” that nickname fits perfectly. He’s built an image of humble genius, while behind the scenes he plays favourites, swears at his own players, and sells himself as the saviour of SA Rugby. That’s not leadership, that’s ego management.

But you groupies don’t see that. You’ve built your little shrine to Rassie, and anyone who questions the man gets called “ignorant.”

Maybe try looking past the trophies for once — and you’ll see the cracks behind the act:)

The best side won - that has little to do with luck

Luck to the Boks was having the Kiwi’s down to 14 men

Luck to the Kiwis was the Boks losing Bongi in the first minute and being replaced by a flanker

Luck to the Kiwis was them being awarded their try when a forward pass was clear

Luck to the Kiwis was Siya fucking up a clear overlap to not put his team mate away for a try

Luck to the Boks for the Kiwis missing kicks

But for the rest of the game it was about striving to get the upper hand, which is what the Boks did in all those games - especially towards the end of the match when it counted the most

Mpuff are you seriously stupid enough to take issue with a coach swearing in the change room?

Because that applies to every coach at every level dumbo

With the score at 12/11

South Africa winger Cheslin Kolbe was the fourth player to be yellow-carded seven minutes from time but New Zealand's Jordie Barrett struck the subsequent 48-metre penalty attempt wide of the posts

With the score at 13/15 Freddie Steward launches a disastrous up and under instead of kicking deep to the corner. The Poms knock on, we dominate the scrum for a penalty and at minute 78….

Replacement flyhalf Handre Pollard kicked a last-gasp penalty as South Africa somehow found a way to get past a dominant England on Saturday and claim a 16-15 victory that sent them into a World Cup final against fellow triple champions New Zealand.

…..

The French game we won via Eben’s splendid try, but with a one point lead France was camped on our line ….any error the ref thought he saw could have ended the game in France’s favor.

…..

You don’t have to call all these things that went our way lucky to accept they were largely out of our control and certainly not the result of genius coaching. The coaching put us in an arm wrestle in 3 successive games, at the end a few players like Snyman, Etzebeth, Ox and Pollard did enough, but only because the opposing players didn’t take their chances….not in any way because the coaching got us out of those 3 deep holes.

No but it’s the coach that instils the belief in these players to go the extra mile, to fight the harder fight and win when it counts

Its what this team does time and time again

Will you all please stop reminding me how close we came to beating you in the RWC ! It’s distressing ;)

It would be a nice gesture if we sent Freddie a year’s supply of biltong!

Yes it would ! It’s the least you can do…….

Stort biltong in Bishop Storford hosted the Bok coaching group to a braai and plenty of biltong before the Argies match at Twickers.

Its was a brilliant marketing gig for them. They capture Felix Jones saying it was the best biltong he had ever tasted, Rassie and Thor were big fans. Rassie said the fat on the biltong was better than back home in SA.

There are plenty of biltong producers here now, it’s really popular, especially amongst the sportsman.

I have a mate who has a biltong business, I exchange ice cream for biltong - his biltong is not that great, but I won’t tell him that :)

We call it “ roadkill “ here……

Bullshit

Nope. It’s been called that for years….

Mozart

Hall Of Famer

47,134 posts

Oct 23, 2025, 18:34

If those were 50/50 games, winning 3 of them in a row has a probability of 12.5%.

Talk about beating the odds, a team of champions....

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The last World Cup was arguably the toughest ever draw - at least for the better teams.

The Boks had the toughest draw - having to play Ireland and Scotland in the opening rounds, then France in the quarters - at home. France were arguably the favourites to win the 2023 World Cup- and then England, who are good in wet conditions on the day, and then the All Blacks in the final.

Since then, the Boks have ranked top of the IRB ratings, which proves the 2nd Rassie World Cup was not a fluke.

"You don’t have to call all these things that went our way lucky to accept they were largely out of our control and certainly not the result of genius coaching. The coaching put us in an arm wrestle in 3 successive games, at the end a few players like Snyman, Etzebeth, Ox and Pollard did enough, but only because the opposing players didn’t take their chances….not in any way because the coaching got us out of those 3 deep holes."

Some luck, might even argue extreme luck, but luck wasn't the only factor, not by a long mile...3 deep holes in a row...we had to have some luck, but the 95% had to be there first to make the 5% luck count.