Rassie Erasmus Biography

Known as the inspirational coach that guided the Springboks to Rugby World Cup victory, Rassie Erasmus has had an adventurous career.

The Springbok and rugby mastermind started his career in rugby just as the sport had gained its professional stamp.

He had not thought about pursuing a career in the sport he loved, but rather that he wanted to play the game for the sake of the game. This passion and venturesome approach took him on a voyage the likes of which he would have never dreamed.

Rassie Erasmus started playing provincial rugby for the Cheetahs in 1994. He explored playing for different clubs throughout his career as a player, including the Lions and the Stormers.

During this time he would be a part of the Springbok squad that won the Tri Nations in 1998 after being runner-up in the year prior and placing third in the 1999 Rugby World Cup.

The enterprising Rassie Erasmus also helped the Lions reach the semi-final in both the 2000 and 2001 Super 12 (now Super Rugby).

He ended his playing career after his stint at the Cape Town franchise, the Stormers, in 2003 and went straight into coaching at his former club, the Cheetahs.

The coaching magician would take his hometown franchise to the semi-finals in the Vodacom Cup, and win the Currie Cup a year later. He retained the title the following year, although it was shared with the Bulls as nothing could separate the sides at the end of extra time.

Rassie Erasmus would go on to coach Western Province, Stormers, and have stints at the Springboks during their World Cup preparation as technical advisor and specialist.

After spending a couple of years abroad at Munster, he returned to SA to lead the Springboks to Rugby World Cup glory.

Rassie was always known for doing things differently and he started off his first international test in charge by giving 13 players their first test cap, which spoke to his intentions for the squad.

His goal was to build a team for the future based on consistency, trust, and humility not only for the players and coaching staff, but for the fans as well.

Building on traditional Springbok strengths, Rassie Erasmus encouraged a physical approach to the game. It paid off in a way South Africa will never forget when the Springboks championed the 2019 Rugby World Cup.