Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus attributes his back-to-back World Cup wins to his transformative tenure at Munster. Currently on a quest to conquer Ireland in Dublin and clinch a trifecta of victories on their northern tour, Erasmus reflects on a pivotal period marked by triumph and tragedy. Originally joining Munster in 2016 as director of rugby, he was thrust into the head coach role after the sudden death of Anthony ‘Axel’ Foley. Erasmus departed Munster in 2017 for a role with South Africa, but not without significant experiences that reshaped his coaching ethos.
Erasmus fondly recalls his stint at Munster, although he jokes that the players never quite appreciated his humor. He describes Axel’s death as “the saddest time,” revealing, “For two or three weeks, I felt the sorriest for myself, selfishly. It was tough, but it taught me a lot about myself, others, and different cultures.” This period evidently left an indelible mark on his coaching philosophy.
"It was sad but it was a life-changing experience for me in many aspects of my coaching,"
Erasmus confessed during his 2017 farewell press conference.
Despite some controversy over a yet-to-be-fulfilled promise to place his 2019 World Cup winner’s medal on Foley’s tombstone, Erasmus’s impact at Munster is undeniable. Ireland and Munster legend Peter O’Mahony described him on The Good, The Bad and The Rugby podcast as “completely mental,” but crucially what the team needed at the time.
Conor Murray, in his autobiography 'Cloud Nine', paints a picture of Erasmus as a no-nonsense figure who embodied the tough, confrontational spirit of an old-school Springbok. Despite guiding the team to the 2017 European Champions Cup semi-final and the Pro12 final with “proper leadership” post-Foley’s death, Erasmus also pushed the boundaries of player endurance. Murray recounts how Erasmus pressured him to play through nerve damage during the Champions Cup semi-final against Saracens, a stance that epitomizes the rugged rugby mentality.
"Pain is for wimps and all that. Just play through the pain barrier and you'll be fine,"
Murray recalls Erasmus urging him.
Erasmus’s approach wasn’t without its softer side. O’Mahony highlighted how Erasmus facilitated a creche for players with children, asking, “What do you need to not worry about anything else, so you could perform at the weekend?” to which he promptly responded, “Done, I’ll sort that, you leave that with me.”
As Erasmus gears up to face Ireland, his legacy at Munster remains a complex tapestry of harsh lessons, heartfelt gestures, and transformative leadership.
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Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus attributes his back-to-back World Cup wins to his transformative tenure at Munster. Currently on a quest to conquer Ireland in Dublin and clinch a trifecta of victories on their northern tour, Erasmus reflects on a pivotal period marked by triumph and tragedy. Originally joining Munster in 2016 as director of rugby, he was thrust into the head coach role after the sudden death of Anthony ‘Axel’ Foley. Erasmus departed Munster in 2017 for a role with South Africa, but not without significant experiences that reshaped his coaching ethos.
Erasmus fondly recalls his stint at Munster, although he jokes that the players never quite appreciated his humor. He describes Axel’s death as “the saddest time,” revealing, “For two or three weeks, I felt the sorriest for myself, selfishly. It was tough, but it taught me a lot about myself, others, and different cultures.” This period evidently left an indelible mark on his coaching philosophy.
"It was sad but it was a life-changing experience for me in many aspects of my coaching,"
Erasmus confessed during his 2017 farewell press conference.Despite some controversy over a yet-to-be-fulfilled promise to place his 2019 World Cup winner’s medal on Foley’s tombstone, Erasmus’s impact at Munster is undeniable. Ireland and Munster legend Peter O’Mahony described him on The Good, The Bad and The Rugby podcast as “completely mental,” but crucially what the team needed at the time.
Conor Murray, in his autobiography 'Cloud Nine', paints a picture of Erasmus as a no-nonsense figure who embodied the tough, confrontational spirit of an old-school Springbok. Despite guiding the team to the 2017 European Champions Cup semi-final and the Pro12 final with “proper leadership” post-Foley’s death, Erasmus also pushed the boundaries of player endurance. Murray recounts how Erasmus pressured him to play through nerve damage during the Champions Cup semi-final against Saracens, a stance that epitomizes the rugged rugby mentality.
"Pain is for wimps and all that. Just play through the pain barrier and you'll be fine,"
Murray recalls Erasmus urging him.Erasmus’s approach wasn’t without its softer side. O’Mahony highlighted how Erasmus facilitated a creche for players with children, asking, “What do you need to not worry about anything else, so you could perform at the weekend?” to which he promptly responded, “Done, I’ll sort that, you leave that with me.”
As Erasmus gears up to face Ireland, his legacy at Munster remains a complex tapestry of harsh lessons, heartfelt gestures, and transformative leadership.