So is Rassie Erasmus rugby's greatest-ever coach?

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Three World Cups, two Rugby Championships, and that's just so far. Six years into his time with the Springboks, Rassie Erasmus is staking a serious claim as the best coach rugby has ever seen. We decided to reflect on Rassie's career, how he got here, what comes next, and just where he might rank...
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[@freever]

Very well-researched and persuasively argued. The point about Rassie not having coached more than one national team is a valid one from a purely rugby point of view, and I would love to run some counter-factuals in which he takes charge of England or even New Zealand, just to see what happens! But it also raises for me another point which is perhaps hard for non-South Africans to grasp, which is that Rassie has played a massive role in healing and uniting our country, and this is probably going to be a bigger part of his legacy than his credentials as a rugby coach. So ja, he's a flippen good coach and people manager, he is a very creative strategist about whom Harvard Business Review articles will no doubt be written, and he's won a lot of medals. But how many rugby coaches can legitimately claim to have contibuted as much to the building of a nation that was so in need of it? That, for me, is what makes him a great person, and also means Rassie coaching any other country would be just about the rugby and therefore, a lesser story. I loved your video about the history of the Springboks' rivalry with the All Blacks and particularly the role it played in the history of Apartheid - that video is the perfect backdrop for understanding where rugby in South Africa has come from, and where it is now, because so much of the change is due in no small part to Rassie Erasmus.

[@W0nderer]

I think if you look at what he did at Munster, while it was short, I think he could absolutely do it at another top international side.

[@davidschmidt1959]

I agree. His brilliance and acumen in finding ways to make rugby the inclusive non-racial sport of South Africa and in uniting the country is unparallelled and makes him truly unique.

[@juanpierrebosch]

Well said ❤

[@RhysWilliams-u3o]

Rassie is a proud south african and the idea of him coaching someone else is crazy... he probably would be successful elsewhere either. The Natiional pride angle goes a long way.

[@qayiyaxakwe6585]

Perfectly put there are no words that couldve answered this better and i fully agree

[@antoniopinon6446]

I can see the Jaguares mascot in the back!!! 😂😂 Being an Argentinian rugby fan, we look to the Boks and we see our older brother. We are proud of them but for sure we gonna beat them next time for the title🎉🎉

[@TheThinkingMathematician]

we will cry that the Boks didnt win it but we will cry warmth that Argentina win because we love you too

[@casperfrancoispretorius2978]

Yeah man! Same here. After the Boks, we support Argentina 🇦🇷 all the way 💪

[@gvz2899]

As a bok fan it will be sad, but as a rugby fan it will be good for rugby. As long as the Aussies & Eng never get anywhere as long as Nic White and Owen Farrel still play rugby for them.

[@antoniusyoutube]

I am really happy you say Argentinian Rugby considers South Africa your older brother. South Africa and Argentina have had a really great relationship for a really long time now. I love watching Argentina play. They are wonderful to watch. Long my the relationship continue.

[@Venomroos]

If he does go to another country, I'd want it to be Argentina. Watching them go from being the whipping boys of the Championship to taking it to the last game and getting a win over everyone is was pretty awesome.

[@BlazeEigs]

Waaaaaay more than a pretty good flanker from the 90s, he was the shrewdest and most play-maker-like loose forward we had in that era by miles.

[@trininair1005]

We love Argentina, ask most well traveled South Africans and they will all tell you Buenos Aires is in their top 3 cities to visit

[@Bennusan1]

Ja. He was really brainy flanker. I think they are selling the man short on that part.

[@adrianpheiffer9960]

Another thing I find fascinating in the Rassie story is that played a key role in recruiting Siya Kolisi into the Western Province youth set up, which had the butterfly effect that eventually lead to him picking him as Springbok captain years later. Same with Eben as well who has gone on to become the most decorated Springbok ever.

[@arceyes]

When Rassie was coaching the Free State Cheetahs we always thought of him as mad scientist sitting on the roof of Newlands stadium with his lights We used to call it Rassie’s mobile disco. Now his dedication to the science of rugby is paying dividends in buckets. He genuinely turned us around in 18 months.

[@stevedavidson666]

Did they allow him on top of the Streep truies' roof as well? Thought it was only the Free State Stadium...

[@luhellin196]

🤣🤣🤣my first thought when I started watching this video.

[@arceyes]

@@stevedavidson666 Tbh I saw him on the roof once at Newlands.

[@stevedavidson666]

@@arceyes Doesn't surprise me with Rassie!!

[@cheekynative]

He's a nerd's nerd. It's an unbelievable stroke of luck for us that he's also incredibly empathetic. I hope his inclusive leadership style becomes a central tenet of Bok coaching and player culture after he eventually walks away from the job

[@justinoswald8825]

It's a subtle point but an important one: while Rassie at the EPD might have dreamed of getting past race quotas, one of the things he did when first took over as head coach in 2018 was ask "what are the exact quotas?" Where before it was never really talked about, he talked about it openly. He knew that this was something that South African rugby had to go through. More than that, he picked something that was viewed as a weakness: "Oh, we have to pick this many players of colour" and viewed it as a strength: "Look at the wide selection of players we have." And it was this openness that led to a South Africa that is now able to pick players without really having to think about quotas because there are now so many players of colour in the system that a representative team picks itself.

[@bhekemsenidladla3202]

True

[@MorgMorg-uf6ps]

Agree, he showed that it doesnt need to be forced but can develop organically. No one can hide in sport, your ability is there for everyone to see, unlike politics.😂 Thanks Rassie🙏

[@GGRUGBY]

Rassie Erasmus is undoubtedly one of the most remarkable leaders in the world of rugby. With a strategic mindset and a keen sense for team dynamics, he has built a cohesive and resilient squad. Through meticulous planning and leadership, Erasmus has successfully laid the foundation for his team’s sustained success. His approach exemplifies not only technical skill but also an inspiring commitment to excellence.

[@garygrewe2008]

Rassie comes straight after Madiba, that's how much we rate him! Rassie is not only great for SA rugby by also the rest of the world, as they have had to update their game, and we are privileged to be watching some of the best rugby in history - in my option Love the format of you having a debate with your brother 👍

[@jle42]

What I love most about Rassie is his humanity. He wears his heart on his sleeve, is a person with integrity and 'reads' the players emotional well-being. Many who worked with him commented about his ability to identify a player's emotional state of being and reading the room. I think he is in tune with the vibes and adress negativity head on because even if you have a team with great players, they cannot achieve success without the right mindset and emotional stability under pressure. Imho I think thats why he continues to believe in a player such as Manie Libbok, knowing that a player's personal demons is the only obstackle to greatness. He pays attention to detail.

[@peterroycroft]

Rassie is clearly an amazing coach. His record speaks for itself. I can accept that his players utterly respect him, and work for him because he looks after them. However one of the things I respect him for is his ruthlessness. He will pull beloved players off a pitch if they risk the team losing. It is a team sport, so that is the right thing to do. I wish Irish coaches would learn a bit of this from him. However "integrity" would not be the first word that springs to mind. This is the guy who was constantly criticised referees in the most despicable terms, thereby undermining their authority. He never misses an opportunity to whine. This constant whining and victimhood is, frankly, pathetic. He has only only Warren Gatland to challenge him for biggest shit-talker about opposition teams (Gatland also a superb coach and man-manager). This is also really pathetic and tiresome. So yes, the guy has great skills, and I completely accept it if South Africans say he has played a great role in uniting the country, but the man also has a side that is less than attractive.

[@davidshekleton9908]

​@@peterroycroftwhat you say is true but you are obviously not aware that he has accepted he was wrong with that behaviour and accepted responsibility for it and has apologised and moved on. Have you not noticed since the referring debacle he has not made one comment in their direction. However the likes of French coach and players, New Zealand coaches etc have had a lot to say....

[@Karma-qt4ji]

Manie is just as much an asset to the side as any other player, including Handre, and it is high time we start to appreciate that Rassie knows what he is doing, knows that every player has a weakness and what it is, and finds a way to work around it. Take Handre for example... he has done us proud so many times, but Handre has frailties too and Rassie makes a plan to work around those. Do yourself a favour... go look at the game we lost in Argentina, look at the tries we scored and the extended build up to those tries, including the move that was called back for a penalty when Kobus tapped and went into the corner. In every single one of them, you will see Lukhanyo Am stepping in as distributor. Every single one! That is Handre's weakness and part of the reason we historically see Willie le Roux on the field when Handre plays. But when Willie goes off injured and a young player (SFM) steps in as replacement, we lose the game because Handre's perfect kicking record (8 from 8) is not enough. The French QF is up on KZbin. Go watch it again and see how we changed pattern from playing off 10 when Manie was on the field to playing off 9 when Faf and Handre came on. Same reason Faf was never far behind Handre when the replacements were made. Time to give Manie a bit of respect. Rassie would not select him if he was as kak as some people seem to think.

[@malcolmvanhilten125]

@@peterroycroft I think you would be spot on with that criticism at the end of the lions series, but since he was banned, that behavior has changed completely. He apologised and has unflicnhingly stated that he fucked up and should have done things very differently. So i think if you are talking in the current tense, i would completely disagree.

[@peterroycroft]

@@malcolmvanhilten125 Happy to hear that and I stand corrected.

[@jonboy2950]

Is Squidge the best rubgy content creater the world has even known.

[@mikeyeee]

Yes

[@peterwomersley]

agreed

[@falkkiwiben]

There are many good that really put their hearts in, but really it isn't even close

[@SACleanWater]

needs to do it with another account first...

[@CarefulAtheist]

@@SACleanWater lol

[@Clintyy]

South Africans love this 💪🇿🇦

[@roelofbyts]

Love the content. Do feel like "pretty good flanker from the 90s" is a very under-appreciated statement. Rassie was a key part of the Boks who won a record equalling 17 games in a row (some would still hold that the game against Eng for the outright record was determined by the ref and not by the teams on the field but anyway) around 97-98. He was a key player in the Bok undefeated 98 Tri Nations campaign. He was a key player in the 99 team who favoured themselves heavily to win the 99 WC (knocked out in Semi by a dropkick in extra time by a flyhalf who never dropkicks and who went on to win the trophy). Rassie was the "x-factor" player in "that team". I feel "pretty good player" is very underrated...but anyway...really do love the content...as always :)

[@garethmann6499]

Agreed - he was very highly rated and a key member of the most consistent Bok team of the pro era. That team gets forgotten because they didn't win a WC, but they are up there as one of the best Bok teams of the pro era, and Rassie was a key part of it. Think a combination of injuries and lifestyle choices curtailed his career. Apparently, he was also the only player who Nick Mallett allowed to provide tactical input

[@DD-RSA]

Agree. Loved that team with Henry Honiball. Rassie had skills that sixes didn't show in that era of the game.

[@JDSouth1444]

Wow..what a video..the amount of information about the players and player programmes...I'm never disappointed with any Squidge video

[@charliethasnail]

Been waiting two weeks for a new squidge video!!!

[@Shendersonsports3003]

It will take a seriously good coach to top Rassie as greatest coach of all time. I can't think of a more passionate coach and one that genuinely cares for the wellbeing of both his players and countrymen

[@Arti-ficiallyChi]

While it’s natural for other countries to favor coaches from their own regions, Rassie Erasmus is undeniably carving out his place in history as one of the greatest coaches of all time. His innovative strategies and just his magnetic aura alone has made him truly remarkable. And some coaches or directors in rugby union seem to be in awe of this man but only because he is from South Africa...and they see it as how can Africa have the audacity to be the good

[@alexandraos2607]

Remember the Boks lost 57 to nil in 2017 to NZ?? He had 18 months to make us world champions. Show me any other coach that can do that!!!

[@miguelangel3254]

Show me another country that had japan and wales on the qf and semi... SA arrived well rested at the final, anyone coul'd win it like that, easiest road to the final in history

[@stevefromsouthafrica]

@@miguelangel3254Wales were pretty good that year.

[@miguelangel3254]

@@stevefromsouthafrica lol not, they only got to the semis cause they played against 14 vs france. Last time wales were good was on 2011.

[@christopherburke2082]

Wales won a grandslam that year, what nonsense are you talking? ​@miguelangel3254

[@stevefromsouthafrica]

@@miguelangel3254 Wales won grand slam in 2019 Six Nations Championships.

[@KarateGucci]

Hi guys , really love your content a lot . I just want to contribute my 5 cents as a South African about the more attacking game being pursued by Rassies Springboks . I think its more a case of NATURAL evolution of South African rugby as a whole . You see , if you would look at SA rugby for the last 70 years , in the apartheid years we had seperate unions for Black people, Coloured people and White people. In the 1980"s a token coloured player or two even made the Springbok team ( Erol Tobias comes to mind and Chester Williams ) . After readmision these guys could play for the Boks but there was not many pathways for them to reach that pinical of success . As you mentioned Rassie took this challenge on and went looking for these guys at grass roots level . Now after 2019 he was spoiled with so called coloured and black players ...and their style of rugby DNA if you want is not necessarily the same as the traditional ( white dominated) style of the Springboks . Now he had these phenominal players like Kolbe, Arendse . AM , WILLEMSE, Williams coming to the fore and Rassie see their worth and know that integrating their style ( their genuis ) will make our team better more holistic if you want . Rassie is kind of playing what the Universe put in front of him . Thing is Meyer could have done that as well but didnt have the guts . Rassie was brave enough to see the inherent value of these small hard brave gamebreakers coming from Boland and Paarl ..Rassie at the moment is the coach amalgamating different cultural styles into the Springboks . He is showing SA how our strength is really our diversity. So as far as a more attacking style evolution goes its more internal ( national ) pressure than looking at 2027 and thinking we have to change....the change was presented to him with this new cultural groups coming into th Boks setup . Even the black players Am , Kolisi , Mapimpi , Ox again I can promise you the boks changed their internal team style/rules/ behavior for the better to accomodate them so that they feel welcome there and thrive. Taking their genuis if you want building a better team . Sorry that was R500's worth of my opinion . Keep them rolling guys cant wait for your next vid.👍🙏👌

[@oliverkirsten9208]

@KarateGucci Very well argued. We missed the trick (think Gio Aplon and the number of tests he would have played under the current management) of utilizing the X factor and flair that comes with our cultural diversity for more than two decades after re-introduction. Instead of embracing it many moaned about quotas. Thank you, Rassie and Co, for having the vision and balls to do this. The result is that rugby is set to grow massively in SA and may be the best positioned it has ever been.

[@KarateGucci]

@oliverkirsten9208 Gio Aplon and Juan de Jong are 2 guys who should have played a lot more than they did . When Gio played for the Boks he was unbelievable .Juan was not selected at his peak . Sport philosophies also play a part , some coaches like them all big ....how long was Heinrich Brussow overlooked and then when he was used he was brilliant...But I do believe that our diversity of cultures is our strength and how Rassie managed that environment is unequaled , he definitely raised the bar for professional coaching in SA , taking in consideration that our standards were already high 😉 Long may it continue ...Now I'm shouting for the Protea Cricket Lady's with 20_20 WC 🙏 I think we have a fighting chance 😳 😅 😀

[@michnaas]

No DNA, just RSA

[@Phloxae1984]

27:50 the nienaber defence is like the dreadnought, the instant it clicked for the springboks every other defensive system in the world became obsolete

[@jameswyatt4443]

People seem to oversimplify it as just being a great rush defence, but it’s lot more technical than any normal rush defence.

[@Phloxae1984]

@@jameswyatt4443 That's incredibly accurate yeah, it was 6 years ago so we forget (i wasn't even watching rugby at the time lmfao) but it took a significant number of games for the defence to click properly for south africa because it's so insanely complex and layered, but the rewards are so insane. Like I'd say England with Felix Jones as defence coach were running it to maybe 50-75% of it's full capacity (how effective it is with south africa), it still had a tonne of holes and things you could exploit but it was winning them so many games.

[@JoelSilva-xw7fr]

Lekker Squidgey! Jy’s befok!! 🔥🇿🇦

[@randomlyfactual1943]

Just for anybody reading the translated version of this comment, "befok" in Afrikaans is a compliment. For instance, if food is good here, it's "lekker". If it's very good, it's "befok".

[@cobus5841]

@@randomlyfactual1943 Yes, Google Translate butchered that one. befok = fucking awesome!

[@williambotha5864]

@@randomlyfactual1943 ... and if it's Excellent it's BokBeFok!!

[@jadiwolv]

Steve Hansen should also be highly considered. OG Buckethat coach always flew under the radar in terms of media

[@sneakpeak0000]

it's between Hansen and Rassie in my opinion however I think Rassie gets ahead as you cannot rate Hansen without speaking about Henry and even around how the leadership was handled in NZ for that heritage . Because Rassie took over at a horrible time for SA rugby it gives more motivation to state he is the best to do it.

[@eugeneduplessis140]

No other coach has pushed the limits of what one can do in rugby like Rassie.

[@tshegofatsokale5888]

I honestly lost it when he put that 7-1 split last year😅 I had never seen anything like that before

[@MosesMatsepane]

I used to watch Rugby for the sake of Rugby, this channel got me interested in the technical aspects of the sport.

[@ThabaniTBowseHadebe0909]

Rassie Erasmus of website builders is a new one

[@ronanjones7606]

Rassie is the greatest water boy ever!

[@brianedwards3823]

What’s really intriguing is that as we head to the 2027 RWC Rassie might have access to the greatest depth of player strength ever. The amount of talent available to him at just about every position is staggering. Consider we won the RC and beat the ABs 4 matches consecutively without 5 of our frontline LOCKS- not just players but players in a very key position. Really enjoying this period of Bok rugby given the many years of squandered talent in the past.

[@theroogie]

A lot of research has gone into this video. Very informative and very well understood by you guys. You guys love your rugby as much as Rassie

[@MarcellePotberg]

He cares about his players there families that makes him the best the greatest coach of all ❤❤❤

[@etienne_oosthuizen]

Lads, remember where the Boks were in 2016/2017, the same team ...

[@jameslparada]

Absolutely love the discussion and highlights format of this vid. Great job guys!

[@sdewviljoen]

Thanks for the pleasure of listening in to your conversation! I always have to rewatch your videos because I miss things. This was such a relief! Admire your analysis.

[@nitalopes515]

Absolutely magnificent Brilliance of Rassie 🫡🫡🫡🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦

[@hilton6149]

How knowledgeable are these guys!

[@clibo1]

Rassie comes across is 100% proudly South African, loyal and focuses on each individual in the team, players and staff. He gets his players to go the extra mile. He is a big reason why this Springboks team can dominate the 2015 All Blacks team. To think like Rassie in this current, highly competitive moden Rugby World is pure genius. South Africa is so lucky.

[@Forest9528]

All correct I saw a funny article today where English pundits were saying that they think rassie might become the England head coach after 2027. That would never happen simply because rassie would never coach england. Ireland maybe

[@ShaunTimothy]

Sorry but can't beat the 2015 all Blacks and I'm South African

[@Hatunrumioc]

You've only just beaten a significantly worse ABs team than 2015 these last three tests. And you've only had one good year against the ABs. And it took generational players well into their 30s to do it. And apparently the greatest coach ever about six years to have one good year against the ABs.

[@lohanlinde3126]

​@@ShaunTimothydidn't we almost beat them in the 2015 semi? With that team?

[@Memeza053]

​@@Hatunrumioc It seems like we might have hit a nerve right there. These chest pains must be painful, right?

[@mickmaxhoey3408]

Loved this as ever. Will hit the nail on the head. Rassie balances the emotion (proudly South African and constantly reminds his players of it) with a brilliant open mind to tactical innovation with an amazing eye for both playing and coaching talent - Felix Jones being a classic example. Henry’s Auckland experience puts him up there but gotta be Rassie for me. Brilliant video 👏👏👏

[@CM13492]

I was lucky enough to play at school with one of the few to buck the English trend, Mark Wilson was a Kirkbie Kendal School and Kendal Rugby Club player until breaking through then of course made it all the way to an RWC final in 2019. Always loved keeping an eye on how he was doing. I remember playing a 1st XV game with him vs. Sedbergh's 3rdXV, and we were hammered, but he was so far and away the best player on that pitch it was just insane to see that skill differential right in front of me

[@JM-ky2nm]

He played under Mallet. Actually an amazingly succesful era. Won 17 games in a row. What are you on about?

[@theroogie]

I think the was in that era but also with corné Kruger era which was unfortunately not as strong - they defs had a bit of a slump at one point - was a while ago so a bit rusty

[@markisaacs5277]

The Man doesn't have to prove anything to anyone because the prove is already in the pudding....and we as South Africans can totally enjoy it as a Nation..thanks Rassie

[@Gavsta60]

Just a quick heads up chaps....Kitch Kristie who coached the 95 World cup winners who sadly passed away too soon...had a 100% winning record. Boks never lost a game when he was in charge.

[@deborahlawson5109]

Living in the UK I’ve noticed people outside of South Africa don’t really know much about Kitch Christie, they know Morne Du Plessis from that era (who you’ll know was the springbok manager then and former captain when he played)Think it might be because Morne did more press conferences etc but from a saffa point of view it was Kitch who won us that RWC and was such a great coach too

[@adrianchetty778]

Proper banana boy as well

[@garethedwards1926]

@@adrianchetty778 Kitch coached what was then Transvaal, not Natal; I think you're confusing him with Ian McIntosh.

[@adrianchetty778]

@@garethedwards1926 my bad, I love claiming banana boys

[@LukasBekker]

It took Rassie about 20 years to get the Springboks to where they are. It would take him another 20 years if he has to coach another nation. While everyone complained about the quota system, he went flat out to win under the new set of rules and limitations. It was tough on players of colour, as they never knew if they were actually good enough. Until Rassie fixed that. He made sure there were enough players of merit from all walks of life. It took 20 years of planning

[@Bodasen]

Answer to the video : Yes ( I'm french, if that matters)

[@randomlyfactual1943]

Hmmm. Lots of food for thought here. It is a fair "criticism" (for lack of a better word) that it might count against Rassie when arguing his place amongst the GOATs that he's only coached the Boks internationally. No doubt can you give Rassie to any team in the world and I'm sure he can do good things there, but he works exceptionally well in South Africa in particular, with regards to our own people and our past. Rassie was the first person - nevermind coach - that understood both sides of the argument; that yes, black representation in rugby is important, but picking players of colour for the sake of picking players of colour is not the way to go. And because he did the work with the Mobi units, our player pool have deepened as a result. Where in the past, underperforming players of colour would face harsh criticism, today anyone saying that guys like Kolisi, Am or Kolbe are only selected as political pawns are as crazy as the people who believe in Flat Earth Theory. I guess what I'm trying to say, is that Rassie is so good with South Africa, because he GETS us. We we get him when he speaks. I'm not sure that he would be able to connect on that level so well. Or, in simpler terms, Wales and Australia will have to pry him from our cold, dead fingers. Great video. Cheers.

[@joshnevin7547]

Maybe I'm wrong about this, but in rugby the coach used to chill on the bench with the players (same as soccer) and Rassie was the dude who decided to start watching from the box at the top with the stormers. He also used stadium lights to send messages to his players. Idk if my memory is correct but I definitely had this memory of Rassie being a genius for these reasons long before he became springbok coach

[@mazibukomail]

If this is true it would indeed be mindblowing.

[@siyashosha6241]

Rassie took the Springboks at their LOWEST ever...after having suffered a 57 - 0 humiliation...took them from being ranked 7th in the world to no.1 and World Champions...all in 18 months! No need to hop around to prove it several other teams...

[@buffaloblack3993]

He is the greatest rugby coach without a doubt. Constantly evolving, always critiquing the status quo. He is a brilliant rugby mind

[@MrKHroM0]

WAIT A MINUTE.... are you telling me that Ireland is as good as they are today because of Rassie? That changes the whole dynamic.

[@randomlyfactual1943]

He played his part with Munster so he would get credit for that. But Ireland's current standard of play I think comes down to the work they put in with regards to performance tracking. They don't have a lot of quantity to work with, so they focused on quality. And for the last four years, Ireland has been one of those teams where you can exchange any first team player with anyone of the next 2-3 players in the queue and get similar results.

[@MetYsJa]

​@randomlyfactual1943 What would ireland look like without Porter, Sheehan, Furlong, Beirne, Doris and JGP. They'd lose to Wales B

[@randomlyfactual1943]

@@MetYsJa They were fine when they came here, weren't they? They had a few names out of the first test (as we did) and they had had another bunch of names added to that list (as we did also). And they did the business in Durban. But that's not what I'm arguing. what I'm saying is that they'll know to a great degree of accuracy what their team is going to look like in a year, two or more. They'll know who can get injured and who can step up. They'll know who those people are AND how they can get the personnel ready for the big games.

[@patrickmccutcheon9361]

@@MetYsJayou could add Keenan, Ringrose, Aki, And Lowe to that list.

[@LonaSomlota]

I just realised I love you narrating your videos it just slaps different

[@PauloJorgeMonteiro]

I love this new format. Great video!

[@JacquesVDB]

I am sure there are some great coaches, but what Rassie achieved ever since the Springbok’s worst ever period pre 2019 makes him one of the best…!!!

[@stephenjudge4356]

Thoroughly entertaining. You guys taught me a couple of things I didn't know as well. Great video guys!

[@DieselBarks]

I'd recommend "Rassie: The Official Film" for more insight into the man and his background. Unfortunately it seems to be off streaming currently.

[@RhysWilliams-u3o]

The maul pen trick is what won SA the 19 world cup... it was impossible to avoid conceding 3 points. Genius play.... the 1 thing that gave them the edge over Wales.. the way they took England apart in the final shows how well Wales did.

[@sandorclegane3658]

Kurtley only playing his first pro game at 25 is criminal.

[@changrcaterham5784]

Rassie Erasmus is probably the most professional coach in the world; a brilliant relationship with his players that makes them perfectly happy with being on the bench; fully utilising the 23 man match day squad and 31/33 man World Cup squad. South Africa under Rassie Erasmus has become such a force that it is genuinely difficult to select a 1st XV

[@ivanmynhardt]

I learned so much watching this video and im South African, thank you for the video much appreciated.

[@daviddempster8717]

By coincidence I used to talk to Rassie while boarding a flight to Bloemfontein to coach the cheetahs once or twice a week very early in the morning in Cape Town. Went on about 2 years. He's a little claustrophobic and didn't like boarding until the last moment. He is quite shy, makes time for everyone, is humble and well mannered.

[@montyjohnson5111]

Rassie got a bronze medal playing in 1999 world cup

[@stevedavidson666]

BTW sorry I forgot say what a great discussion this was. Well done guys, and thanks.

[@svndile]

Haven't watched, but I agree with everything. Go Rassie 🇿🇦🇿🇦

[@ivalemfana]

Love the video Squidge !

[@CraighJonas]

Internationally Rassie is the GOAT! 🐐 Just look at his trophy cabinet... 2 World Cups, 2 Rugby Championships and a British & Irish Lions 🦁 series victory. 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆

[@Markdestadler]

I would not be surprised if Rassie's illness meant that he had to take time off and as a result got Jaque to step in and deal with the day-to-day running of things. Eddie Jones's authoritarian style is well suited to Japanese culture where people listen to their elders. However, in Western cultures and the current hardwiring of generations playing the game, Eddie Jones authoritarian style of leading and communicating is dead in the water. Rassie picks guys on attitude and not just skill set. He looks for players with grit and resilience and his leadership style and direct communication approach can be handled by his players. He also is not shy to call out his most senior players in front of everyone in the team showing that he has no favoritism and everyone is treated equally. As a result, he creates an environment of mutual respect with zero egos which is breading ground of sustainable success. This man is hands down the greatest rugby coach that has ever walked the planet cause he has what you both spoke about which is elite level EQ matched with same level IQ.

[@Chris____zzzzz]

Squidge, you forgot to mention the most prestigious cup of all. The Qatar Airways Cup!!

[@BloodSteyn]

Watching you break down rugby, I think Rassie needs to get you on the coaching team as an analyst ASAP.

[@TheoRademeyer-i6l]

If you just look at the following: 1 x wc as an assistant coach. 1 x wc as head coach . 1 wc as director. 1 x lions tour as director. 1 x rugby championship as director. 1 x RC as head coach. 1 x Currie cup as coach. Turned around munster. Turned around the stormers. And arguably more or as many wins in Nz as any other. Mobi squad. Player pathways. He did all the international achievements while mastering the political and social requirements domestically , that no other coach internationally deals with. Factually there is no argument or even discussion. He is the greatest ever. There are hounrable mentions to many others. But no equal. He is simply the 🐐. Who else has won 3 wcs? Who else has even won 1 wc and a lions tour? Who else has been competitive in NZ and dominated NZ at home? Many have done pieces of this but none have done all. No one else's record compares. It's overdue time he got the global respect he deserves.

[@nathisihlophe2057]

If he were a football manager, he’d be recognised alongside the likes of Mourinho, Pep, Wenger, and Sir Alex. He’s carved out his own path, made a significant impact on the rugby world, and been highly successful. The issue is, rugby feels like a smaller stage compared to football, there’s often more jealousy, rivalry, and a reluctance to give credit where it’s due. In the larger, more visible world of football, success tends to be acknowledged and celebrated more readily.

[@aadilsr]

Also, saying he was part of an unimpressive Springboks side as a player is not fair. He played every single game in Nick Mallet's team that won 17 test matches in a row prior to the 1999 WC.

[@CM13492]

I think the greatest coach of all time is tricky. It almost needs to take in the whole setup. The 2011 AB's with Graeme Henry, Steve Hanson, and Wayne Smith are hard to beat given all are now world cup winners as head coach. To this day, a Wayne Smith coached attack attack is the most beautiful thing I have seen on a rugby field!

[@haggiesm]

If Rassie was to coach any other national team, I would want it to be Wales. I (and I think he) really appreciate the Welsh passion and understanding of the game and they could do with the kind of pick-me-up he gave us from 2018 onwards.

[@zeuskaboose]

Well give Rassie to the rest of the world after he's won the threepeat. Hes No. 1 in our hearts and minds. Thanks for the content.

[@WEEKENDGUYPODCAST]

Just watched the entire video non stop…Can’t go beyond tow world cups. Rassie is the greatest.

[@justinwatermeyer]

Hey @SquidgeRugby, great content as always. From a Saffa, you pronounce his name "Russie" NOT "Razzie". You can be forgiven for not rolling the "r", but the rest is really easy to get right: the "a" sounds like "u", and the "ss" sounds like "s" in English (like it would in "bus" and "us"). You say his name often in your videos, just thought you would like to know. Keep up the great work!

[@rodcodes]

Rassie is the best thing to come out Despatch and ever will!

[@meeshnozigqwaba8972]

closely followed by danie gerber right? 😂

[@terrybortz3489]

Frans Erasmus? 😅

[@axler8r]

Danie Gerber?

[@koiselectsa]

Love your work Squidge 🙏🏼

[@jonnoboy774]

Hey squidge, not sure if you will see this but thought i will chuck it out there. Love your stuff and love your channel. I was thinking, given how much amazing rugby is going on and from a purely selfish point of wanting more rugby videos it would be amazing to hear your brother take the lead on some videos. Assuming thats what he wants to do, 2x the people = 2x the content (in my ill-informed mind)

[@kevinaraujo1935]

Rassie is an absolute legend!

[@reecevanwyk2579]

Video ideas: Who is the GOAT rugby player. 2015 NZ vs 2023 SA Kolbe vs Dupont

[@mariuscoetzee9262]

No, the quality of players can make or break any coach. Erasmus has the good luck to have many exceptionally good platers at his disposal. That helps any coach to excel. No dispute that Erasmus is a very good coach.

[@5jacksonsjourney179]

Love the content and the format

[@ziaangrobler7836]

O please please please Rassie, coach Namibia next! I'm a dual citizen of Namibia and South Africa, and I would love nothing more than for you to take Alister Coetzee's job again by coaching Namibia! 😂

[@theroogie]

The Japanese team in 2019 played the most beautiful rugby in that World Cup

[@razeenmeyer9728]

Hence he made the move to get Tony Brown. Japan's then attack coach.

[@rianpp3696]

People forgot how good the Boks backline play is

[@SekuruJohan]

His development program alone makes him a great. SA are reaping those rewards now

[@thesaoak]

In Rassie, we trust!

[@talana9771]

Really great and informative content!

[@tappie34]

He coached Munster and did very well, so he should be able to do quite well at Ireland, so don't think it's just one nations mentality I think he's brilliant at picking up what makes any club or country tick and bringing that to the forefront

[@sambingham1196]

I remember how quickly he transformed Munster in his short stint there. Box office.

[@christopherburke2082]

Rassie at Argentina or Fiji would be interesting. If anyone can harness that raw talent (and in the case of Argentina, a pretty cohesive team) and turn it into a WC-contending team, it's him.

[@deon1765]

Duhan was not raised in Scottland he grew up in South Africa, him and his brother Akker van der merwe were at school with me

[@toemas8]

NZ really embraced the Polynesian flair and running rugby, combined that with tactics and discipline to make the All Blacks dominant side in the 90’s and 2000’s. As a white South African I always thought it was insane that we have such a large country and pool of talent we never fully exploited it. It’s great that black players like Ox and Bongie, who let’s face it are not built for soccer have found a place in rugby. It’s great that Rassie took a logical approach but also opened his heart. He loves his players like sons and like a good father does not tolerate nonsense and BS.

[@jandre78]

I love the content you put out! I’m a very biased springbok fan so this was a particularly easy watch but all your analysis is always incredible

[@123lapl]

Danko you two... lekker video 🇿🇦

[@gavinwarnock1254]

I have heard players talk of rassie trying the two lifting pod play in training as far back as 15 years ago with the Western province..

[@winstonwiggill2824]

Adding to Rassie's story is the fact that the Boks were ranked 6 or 7 when he took over.

[@GiveMeBourbon]

Does Rassie fancy doing some charity work and coaching the Welsh team.

[@generalmoralhazard]

He did a bloody good job at the Stormers and Cheetahs, so for me that’s when his success began.

[@SeanMacRSA]

For once, I may actually disagree with you Squidge. I think Rassie would be very successful wherever he may coach. Maybe not 2 from 2 World Cups successful, but certainly every bit as successful as say Schmidt with Ireland, Jones with England up to 2019. I think what sets Rassie apart here, is his passion for the Springbok, being one himself. His passion for his people, having gone through the immense chang we did in 1994, and then seeing that dream slowly burn itself out by swapping one group of criminals for another. He's a great coach, and a great motivator and innovator. But maybe that extra 20% that comes with pure passion and love for what you're representing, that's maybe what would hold him back.

[@anthonymanya5296]

Good video squidge and i believe rassie is the GOAT of coaching