Controversial South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus is ‘breath of fresh air’: Bob Skinstad

Former South Africa captain Bob Skinstad has come to the defense of Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus, declaring him to be a "breath of fresh air" back home in South Africa. Erasmus has enjoyed remarkable success since taking charge of the national team in 2017, with a home series victory against the British & Irish Lions in 2021 and a potential hat-trick of World Cup titles on the horizon in Australia.

However, Erasmus's methods have not been without controversy. A leaked video showed him critiquing Test-match officiating, and he has faced criticism for altering his starting XV ahead of the second Test against New Zealand. Steve Hansen, a former New Zealand coach, called the frequent changes to the squad a "debacle," following a 1-1 draw in the series.

Despite the criticism from abroad, Skinstad insists that Erasmus is beloved by South African fans for his innovative approach to the game. "He has been a breath of fresh air," Skinstad says. "He’s got an attitude of wanting to protect the players; let me make the media frenzy, and let the players get on with what they re doing."

Skinstad also highlights Erasmus's embrace of an analytic approach to style of play and his willingness to rotate the squad, even when it's not necessary. He points out that these innovations have led World Rugby to adapt their laws, making Erasmus a pioneer in the sport.

Skinstad explains that South Africans see Erasmus's innovation as a reflection of his planning and preparation. "It's something that everybody feels quite proud of, that innovation," he says. "I think they see that in him, and because of that, they just absolutely adore it. Each week he surprises the hell out of them." Skinstad also lauds Erasmus's high standards, noting that they are reflected in the behavior and dedication of his coaching staff.

"You hear horror stories about these coaches where it's like: 'It's 5am, I'm up, why are you not up?' but he is not one of these guys. But he's got very high standards. [The coaches think] 'We adhere to those standards, so we need to deliver a better presentation because we know how high his standards are. That's exactly what you want in a working environment.'"