Alan Quinlan believes Rassie Erasmus has set a new benchmark in world rugby, and that the Springboks’ continued rise should worry everyone else.
The former Ireland and Munster forward has labelled Erasmus the greatest coach the game has ever seen, crediting him with transforming South African rugby from a struggling heavyweight into a dominant global force.
“Yeah, he is [the greatest rugby coach ever],” Quinlan told BOYLE Sports. “I think South Africa will be firm favourites going into the 2027 World Cup. Their depth chart is incredible. South Africa have always had the players, but what he has done is structurally changed everything: aligned the unions, the pathways, consistency in communication and fitness requirements.”
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Quinlan recalled the low point of that journey, when Ireland exposed the Springboks on home soil and again in Dublin.
“I think back to 2016 when we won for the first time in Cape Town. Then they came to Dublin in 2017 and were beaten 38-3. It was dreadful stuff.”
What impresses Quinlan most is that Erasmus didn’t reinvent the squad overnight.
“Rassie doesn’t have a magic wand … There was a core group already there. But you have to give him credit for bringing in overseas coaches like Tony Brown and Felix Jones. He’s finely tuned players to a level that is off the chart.”
That evolution, Quinlan says, is also clear in the Vodacom URC, where South African teams – especially the Stormers – continue to raise standards.
“It’s bad news for everyone else because those teams are getting better, their players are getting better and it’s benefitting their international sides as well.”
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And when it comes to the set-piece, Quinlan believes the Boks remain unmatched.
“They could pull a prop out of a college who is 130kg and lock out a scrum for you.”
Photo: Gareth Everett/Gallo Images
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