World Cup winner Schalk Brits believes we are only now starting to see the full potential of what Rassie Erasmus is capable of with the Springboks.
Speaking to CoinPoker.com, Brits said the secret to South Africa’s success “is the process, going back to 2018”.
The ex-hooker said that due to various factors Erasmus hasn’t always been able to fully implement his vision for Springbok rugby, but that he now has the time and space to do so – and that spells bad news for the rest of world rugby.
“In 2018, Rassie took over after record losses against Ireland and New Zealand, when we were seventh in the world,” said Brits, explaining that the Boks brains trust focused on “what gives the biggest return on time spent – defence, set-piece, and the kicking game”.
He added: “The idea was to evolve, starting in 2019. Even then, we said the probability of winning the World Cup was very small because we lacked experience. We needed a bit of luck, and we got lucky by playing the percentages,” said Brits who was part of that 2019 World Cup-winning squad.
“The plan from 2019 to 2023 was to further evolve our game. Unfortunately, Covid came and stopped that evolution. Then the Lions tour came [in 2021], leaving us with only a short period before 2023 to evolve again.”
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He added that “through a lot of grit and hard work – and a bit of luck – things went our way”.
“[At the 2023 World Cup], we lost against Ireland [in the pool stage] and in the knockouts, we won by one point, one point and one point, right? Take France, England, New Zealand.”
But in a warning to the Boks’ rivals, Brits said: “This is probably the first four-year rotation where Rassie can actually install a full plan.”
“So, what has he done since 2023? He’s given more exposure to other players. He brought in Tony Brown as a new attack coach, saying, “Let’s evolve the game to where we are.”
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Brits said part of Erasmus’ genius is countering or limiting the exposure of “key individual risk” in your team.
“If Handre Pollard gets injured, you’re in big trouble. It happened with Malcolm Marx twice.”
The Boks now boast three world-class flyhalves in Pollard, Manie Libbok and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
“The evolution of the team is so impressive,” said Brits. “It’s not just a key man like Pollard doing the same thing. You’ve got Pollard, who you know will win the game by playing in the right areas. But now he brings in Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Manie Libbok.”
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For all of Erasmus and his team’s meticulous planning and attention to detail, Brits says that taking risks is a key part of what sets the Bok mentor apart.
“We will still lose games, for example, the game we lost against Australia [at Ellis Park]. We overplayed in that game. He said we don’t have the capacity yet to play an all-expansive game; we need to pull back a little bit. But those are the mistakes we will make in order to grow.
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“He brings [centre] Andre Esterhuizen in, who can cover flanker if a red or yellow card comes. Kwagga Smith was the previous impact player; now Andre is an impact player, and he can still use Kwagga as well. Damian Willemse is playing 15, 12, and 10. Our scrumhalves can play wing.
“He’s trying to build athletes, even though you will always need a lock. He picks flankers and locks who can play multiple positions, giving you flexibility of choice. It takes bravery and guts to get to that position.”
Brits cites himself as an example of Rassie willing to take a risk, selecting him for the World Cup aged 38. He came back from Japan as a World Cup winner.
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
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