Erasmus confirms that the RWC Final will be his last test

Erasmus confirms that the RWC Final will be his last test

Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus has confirmed that Saturday’s Rugby World Cup final against England in Yokohama will be his last test match as Springbok head coach.

Erasmus was appointed as South Africa's director of rugby at the end of 2017 with his term beginning in 2018. Since then he has served in the dual role of Springbok coach and SA Rugby director of rugby after Allister Coetzee step down from his role as Springbok head coach.



When Erasmus took over as the Springboks' head coach, he said that he would step down from the role at the conclusion of the Rugby World Cup and solely work as SA Rugby's director of Rugby. However, there has been speculation over whether or not he would continue beyond the World Cup and potentially coach the team during the British & Irish Lions tour in 2021.


However, Erasmus confirmed on Thursday that he will be stepping down as head coach at the end of this year and that the 2019 World Cup final will be his last game coaching the side.

 


Former Kings head coach Deon Davids has been linked with the position as too has defence coach Jacques Nienaber.

When asked for his thoughts on thoughts of coaching the Springboks in a World Cup final, Erasmus said:

"To be honest, it’s been 25 test matches, and is probably my last test – it is my last test match that I will be the head coach. For me, it’s an emotional one in the sense that I didn’t think 25 test matches will go that quickly.

"When I went to Munster, I was sort of in the mode of doing the family thing and making sure that I see my children in the last four or five years before they get out of school, and thinking more strategically in terms of how we are going to get the schoolboys when I got back to South Africa, and help the sevens and help (former South Africa coach) Allister (Coetzee).

"The moment you get hands-on with the Springboks again, the adrenalin starts pumping again and you get back into the mould again, and it is a totally different feeling, and I am enjoying it thoroughly now.

"It’s wonderful to be here. It’s sad that it’s only three days, and then it is all over. But I will be heavily involved, hopefully, still after this – whatever way we are going to go with the head coach.

"But hell, I must say, me being involved again gives me such hope for what rugby can do for South Africa. I was one of those guys three years ago who said ‘Let’s just play, boys, let’s just play. Stop talking about this hope thing, because everybody is talking about. Rugby is rugby, and let’s just play’.

"But I’ve totally changed my mind. I believe if we play the right way, and with the passion, and the people can see it, it just helps people forget about their problems, and agree with things.

"I have enjoyed it thoroughly, and whatever happens on Saturday, we have to make sure we use this for the next four, five, six, seven years, that it doesn’t get lost again, the positivity, what we get out of Saturday."



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