The best sports forum in the world

Rugby | Cricket | Football | Racing | Combat Sport

Rassie

Forum » Rugby » Rassie

Jan 15, 2025, 05:55

Rassie Erasmus, the South African rugby coach, is widely regarded as one of the most successful and influential coaches in world rugby. He led the Springboks to victory in the 2019 Rugby World Cup, which was a monumental achievement for both him and South African rugby. Describing him as a "poor coach" would be inaccurate, as his track record speaks to his expertise, strategic thinking, and ability to inspire and develop players.

However, like any high-profile coach, Erasmus has faced criticism at times, especially for his controversial statements or actions. In 2021, his public criticism of refereeing decisions during the British & Irish Lions tour was widely discussed. Nonetheless, his success and achievements on the field, especially with the Springboks, have cemented his reputation as one of the top coaches in the sport.



Rassie Erasmus and the South African team did indeed win the 2023 Rugby World Cup, which further solidified his reputation as a top-tier coach. The claim that their victory was due to "luck" is certainly debatable. While there are always factors that can be considered lucky—such as refereeing decisions, individual moments of brilliance, or fortuitous circumstances—Erasmus' coaching methods, preparation, and leadership played a huge role in South Africa’s success.

Erasmus is known for his strategic approach to the game, his focus on physical conditioning, and his ability to bring out the best in his players. Under his guidance, South Africa developed a formidable tactical game, emphasizing strong defense, forward dominance, and clinical finishing. The team's success wasn't just a result of chance, but rather years of meticulous planning, player development, and a deep understanding of the modern game.

That said, rugby, like all sports, has elements of unpredictability, and a small number of "lucky" moments can influence the outcome. However, it's the overall preparation and skill that make teams like the Springboks so difficult to beat, and Erasmus deserves credit for his role in their victories, including in 2023.

Jan 15, 2025, 05:57

Rassie Erasmus is certainly one of the most successful and impactful coaches in South African rugby history, but whether he is the "best" coach of all time is a matter of debate and perspective.

Erasmus' accomplishments are remarkable, especially leading South Africa to victory in both the 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cups. These achievements, combined with his success in transforming the team and revitalizing South African rugby after a challenging period, place him among the elite. His ability to create a winning culture, build a team with strong tactical discipline, and focus on physicality and strategic depth has earned him widespread praise.

However, when comparing him to other legendary South African coaches, such as Kitch Christie, who led the Springboks to victory in the 1995 Rugby World Cup, or Jake White, who guided the team to the 2007 Rugby World Cup title, it's clear that Erasmus has stiff competition. Christie’s triumph in 1995 had a huge cultural and national significance, as it helped unite a post-apartheid South Africa. White’s 2007 World Cup win also demonstrated tactical astuteness, particularly with a focus on strong defense and set-piece play.

Erasmus’ achievements are impressive, but some may argue that coaches like Christie and White have had their own legacies that could be seen as equally significant.

In summary, while Erasmus is undoubtedly among the greatest South African coaches of all time, whether he is the absolute "best" could be subjective, depending on personal perspectives and the weight one gives to different achievements and circumstances.

Jan 15, 2025, 05:57

Obviously Chat...

Jan 15, 2025, 10:03

If one goes by the trophy cabinet alone then without a doubt Rassie is the best, however, Christie and White came out of a different era and different environments, both though were meritorious coaches. Christie achieved both the improbable and the impossible, the win was epic as it united a nation and brought joy to millions. Winning the RWC was mesmerizing as we know the Boks were not the best team in the tournament. 

Jake cut his cloth to the material in hand, kept it simple and proved to be a master of playing to his strengths. Sure it was boring rugby but again, arguably not the best team in the tournament, however, he read it right and delivered, that is greatness.

Jan 15, 2025, 10:31

Rassie is handling the politicians and transformation much better than any coach before him...and that's the most difficult and most important part of coaching rugby in South Africa.

Jan 15, 2025, 10:33

Rassie is handling the politicians and transformation much better than any coach before him...and that's the most difficult and most important part of coaching rugby in South Africa.

Jan 15, 2025, 10:37

Also the most irritating part …..Merit selections is and always will be the best method of selecting…..

These fucking politicians should rather focus on curbing crime and Corruption….and stay away from Rugby and Sport in any form!!

The bloody irony, the country is fucked and they still want a say in sport ?!

Jan 15, 2025, 11:16

Rassie is by some distance the best coach the Boks have ever had and many regard him as the best coach the game has ever seen. If he is not the best ever then he is damn close. Should he win a third WC in a row he will without doubt be regarded as the best ever

That is how good Rassie is

To think that after winning the most difficult WC ever he went on to almost achieving an unbeaten 2024, had it not been for the v Staaden fuck up and that drop goal and Libbok missing the sitter playing in a Bok B side against the Argies

Jan 15, 2025, 11:19

Sorry Denny but Jake was saved by Eddie Jones and that’s a fact

He was on the verge of being sacked as his record going into that WC was so damn poor

Jan 15, 2025, 12:26

Rassie is handling the politicians and transformation much better than any coach before him...and that's the most difficult and most important part of coaching rugby in South Africa.

You forget, players of colour weren't quite ready for higher duties in both Meyer and White's time as they are now in Rassie's time. But even though they weren't ready Meyer and White were forced to make quota selections. From that aspect it's a lot easier for Rassie.

Jan 15, 2025, 13:39

Because Rassie started developing at grassroot level way back as Stormers coach and then as developer at SARugby in the Snorre years...he bought in many years ago and is reaping the fruits now...

Jan 15, 2025, 17:04

Best rugby talent pool since readmission, no great teams as opponents, less political interference, lots of luck.

On the downside…we still offload at half the rate of opponents. Our tries come from broken play and mauls. No new skills are evident.

Harrassmiss’ biggest success is getting the Boks a more than fair deal from refs. But was it worth it. Not for him personally, but maybe for the Boks. The RWC final and the Cain red was a classical example that gifted us the WC.

Jan 15, 2025, 18:08

Bullshit the rugby talent pool is no different to the Jean/ Habana era

Bullshit do we only score tries from broken play - fact is we scored more tries than any other side last year

Bullshit re no great teams as opponents - Ireland, France and Scotland are the best they have ever been. England and NZ are always up there

What a fucking joke that Rassie got a fairer deal from the refs - fuck me I have read some shit from you over the years but this tops them all

The last WC was by some distance the toughest in the history of the competition

No side has had to beat Scotland, France, England and NZ to win it

Cane card my arse, we never had a hooker for 78min and were down to 14 men for 20 min of the game

Jan 15, 2025, 19:30

Pool is the same as ever...

Jan 15, 2025, 19:44

Exactly Draad

Jan 15, 2025, 19:57

More of the fringe players nowadays is of better quality and that makes the talent pool bigger, than in those days….

Players like Jean Kleyn, That Janse V Rensburg guy, Van Staden etc….

Not First choice but still above average to play for a Bok team.

Jan 15, 2025, 20:07

Coetzee's lot lost with cricket scores...Heineke couldn't beat the Allblacks in 4 years...Rassie did it first game and in NZ nogal...and did it regularly ever since...when last did we lose to the shaggers???...it's not even close...

Jan 15, 2025, 20:19

How many times did the shaggers beat us in a row??

When we equal that or beat it , then it will be fitting for the Boks…..

Really chuffed for the Boks we doing so well, but it’s still early days……

Jan 15, 2025, 20:47

Our WC loss in 2015 against a great AB team by 2 points, was way better than our WC win by 1 point in the 2023 final, against a weak All Black  team playing a man down for a net 40 minutes.

As for beating the All Blacks, Snor did it 3 times in one year….does that make him a great coach. Up your game Draad you porridge brain.

Jan 15, 2025, 21:15

Weak AB side bwhaahaaaaa

What a joke

Jan 15, 2025, 23:00

2023 ABs 9 won/3 #

2015 ABs 11 won/1 lost

2007 ABs 10 won/2 lost.

….

2024 ABs 10 won/4 lost.#

The AB teams Harrassmiss played are marked with a hashtag for your convenience,

Jan 15, 2025, 23:15

Those stats mean fuck all

The true measure of the current AB side is the fact that the best Bok side ever only manages to beat them by a point or two

The current crop of AB’s are as good as any that have been

Jan 15, 2025, 23:54

The current AB team is the equivalent of the 2003  Boks.  No NZfan would rank the 2023 team with the 2015 team. You do because it supports your case. Dave you know enough about rugby to know that’s absolute nonsense.

Jan 16, 2025, 00:29

No Moz I know for a fact that the likes of Ben Smith, Jordan, Reece, Clarke, Ione, Barrett x 3, Mouanga, McKenzie, Aron Smith, Perenara, Moody, de Groot, Lomax, Williams, Coles, Codie Taylor, Retalllick, Whitelock, Savea, Frizell, Cane, Read etc are as good a players as the AB’s have ever had

I know this current Bok side is probably the best we have ever had and beating the AB’s by a point or two each time tells me just how good they are

Jan 16, 2025, 01:45

This from All Black Rugby:

ChatGPT All Blacks XV

1: Tony Woodcock
2: Dane Coles
3: Carl Hayman
4: Brodie Retallick
5: Ian Jones
6: Richie McCaw (captain)
7: Michael Jones
8: Kieran Read
9: Aaron Smith
10: Dan Carter
11: Jonah Lomu
12: Ma'a Nonu
13: Conrad Smith
14: John Kirwan
15: Christian Cullen

……

Two players were in the final against us in 2023….Aaron Smith and a fading Brodie Retallik.

Eight players were against us in the 2015 semi….Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Dan Carter, Aaron Smith, Kieran Reid, Richie McCaw, Brodie Retallik, Dane Coles.

2015 was leagues better than 2023. The only player I’d select from 2023 apart from Retallik and Smith is Ardi  Savea

Jan 16, 2025, 09:47

Matfield came on in the 2015 sdemi and lest the amtch for he  Sprigboks ho had a cahnc e of beating the AB's bar his BS during the time he played,     

The situation was that unde previous caoches  ig was harder i he S pringboks to be dropped fom squad thn it was or enw Spingboks being selected,   Easmus chose the best players  available at any given time and did away with the quota system.    

The myth playes some of our members support has never been valued Springboks and the hysteria about some players is hilarious  especilly when they bliee the know more about rugby than Erasmus does.    .        .    .     

Jan 16, 2025, 10:44

That’s a good side but no ways is it leagues better than the current crop

Jan 16, 2025, 17:07

So the experts are wrong.

Jan 16, 2025, 17:13

The experts said they were leagues better?

Jan 16, 2025, 17:29

Dave anybody with even a casual interest in rugby knows the All Blacks have declined significantly from the great phase they had from 2011 through 2015.

That more than anything a else explains Rasmus’ success,

Jan 16, 2025, 18:30

Wrong thread

Jan 16, 2025, 18:49

No the AB’s have not declined, the other sides have caught up. No rugby side will ever dominate rugby again

The global nature of the game means standards all round have improved

Evidence of the fact that this current AB side is a good one, is the fact that the current Bok side, arguably the best ever only manages to beat it by narrow margins

That is testament to how good they are and how good Ireland and France are currently. England are never out of the picture. Scotland, Italy and Argentina are the best they have ever been. Oz looks to be turning the corner under Schmidt.

It’s only poor Wales that are lagging but I suspect they will turn the corner in the not so distant future

Jan 16, 2025, 19:12

So you are saying if you beat a team by narrow margins they are automatically at your level. So we are then basically the same as NZ, Ireland, France and England…..thank you Dave, finally you accept we were very lucky in 2023.

Not genius, Pollard.

Jan 16, 2025, 19:29

No I’m saying we are slightly better and fully deserve to be ranked number 1

We are certainly not leagues ahead, that will never happen again

We are better thanks to Rassie being a step ahead

Pollard my arse - the side as a whole with a brilliant coach

Jan 16, 2025, 19:47

Pollard…he misses 1 of  9 kicks…..like Ramos or Jordie Barrett…..we don’t make it. And the only reason he was there was because Marx got hurt.

But then you have been told that before and pretend it isn’t happening.

Jan 16, 2025, 19:50

We still won.

Jan 16, 2025, 19:56

Well in order to take the kick the team needs to create the opportunity

We also missed kicks - remember Libbok

We won because we were better than France, England and NZ on the day

Jan 16, 2025, 21:40

"No the AB’s have not declined, the other sides have caught up. No rugby side will ever dominate rugby again"

That's what they said about the great West Indian cricket side of the 70/80s.

Australia "Hold my beer mate."

Jan 16, 2025, 21:49

Cricket vs Rugby - oceans apart

Jan 16, 2025, 21:55

Day after day?

Jan 16, 2025, 22:24

Good old song

Feb 02, 2025, 10:08

Lets face facts - the SB;s was striong inn 2015 on paer since most of the team was on the rong side of 30 and onm thew ay going down in performances,   If Meyer picked the ebst players and  people that has not played any rugby for up to 16 months  yj eam would have been competitive and not lost against Japan and then found they had to play the same players in every test after that,   They dared not lost another test and by the time the players ended up being tired from being over-played in thes eries because there were 8 unplayable players in teh squad that was at best not usable 

We know part of the reason why Jake White was not considered fpr extension of his contract - the act is the Bulls and Free State voted agaist extension of hsi contract and wanted Meyer s coach,   The plan misfired when some of the White suppoting unions like the Stormers and the Sharks got miffed abd supported De Villie ahead of Meyer as coach.   In the case of White in his career as coach white was subsquently fired as harks Coach on grounds they believe was divisive and  poor playe management,   White ended up as coach of Montpellier and the team performed well in his fist year and not well in his second year of coaching not so well  and Montpellier would not renew his contract - so he moved to  Japan. 

Meyer whom Mzart never criticized was a total disaster as a coach and his contrct as not renewed in 2016 and Coetzee appointed as coach,   He ws  total disaster in 2016 and 2017 and in the end kicked out as coach, in 2018.

Meyer ended up in caochig Stade Francais and Coetzzee at the Canon Eagles team in Japa when both were  were fied becaue of incompetence,       

     

 
You need to Log in to reply.
Back to top