Rassie Erasmus

Johan Rassie Erasmus born 5 November 1972 in Despatch Eastern Cape is a South African rugby union coach and former player widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in world rugby He began his elite playing career with Free State in 1994 and went on to represent the Cats Golden Lions and Stormers in Super Rugby earning 36 caps for the Springboks between 1997 and 2001 He was part of the South Africa squad that won the 1998 Tri Nations and played at the 1999 Rugby World Cup where the Springboks finished third Known for his innovative approach even as a player he famously travelled with a computer and printer on tour in the late 1990s to analyse opposition After retiring in 2003 Erasmus moved into coaching with Free State Cheetahs leading them to Currie Cup glory in 2005 their first title since 1976 He later coached the Stormers and served as Director of Rugby at Western Province before spending two successful years 20162017 as Director of Rugby at Irish province Munster where he won the Pro12 Coach of the Season award In 2017 Erasmus returned to South Africa as the firstever SARU Director of Rugby Following the dismissal of Allister Coetzee he was appointed Springbok head coach in March 2018 In 2019 he guided South Africa to their third Rugby World Cup title and was named World Rugby Coach of the Year He stepped back to his Director of Rugby role after the tournament but returned as head coach in 2024 and led the Springboks to a historic backtoback Rugby World Cup victory in 2023 In 2024 he received an honorary Philosophiae Doctor in Coaching Science from NorthWest University for his exceptional management during the 2019 and 2023 World Cup campaigns