Rassie Erasmus
Encyclopedia
Rassie Erasmus is the current coach of the Stormers
rugby franchise in South Africa. Erasmus played mainly as a flanker for the Springboks
at international level, for the Free State Cheetahs
and the Golden Lions
in the Currie Cup
, and for the Cats in the Super 12
. He served as captain of the Cats, leading them to the 2000 Super 12 semifinals, and also captained the Springboks once.
Erasmus started his professional rugby career with the Free State in the Currie Cup. By 1997 he had been called up for national duties with the Springboks, and made his debut on 5 July against the British and Irish Lions
in Johannesburg
, which the home side won 35-16. In his next match for the Springboks, on 23 August that same year, Erasmus played the Wallabies, starting at flank, and scoring a try for South Africa in only his second match, which the Boks went onto to win 61-22 in Pretoria
. In November he played another four games for the Boks, scoring tries against Italy and France as well.
Erasmus had firmly established himself as a starting flanker for the Boks by the time the international season had come about in 1998. He played three tests prior to the beginning of the Tri Nations that year, playing Ireland twice, and Wales once, scoring a try in two games. He played in three Tri Nations games that year, in the wins over the Wallabies and All Blacks. He earned another four international caps at the end of the year, playing each of the home nations teams.
In 1999 Erasmus moved to the Golden Lions in the Currie Cup. That season, after being capped three times prior to the Tri Nations, he skippered the side in the match against the Wallabies in Brisbane
, though the Boks lost 32-6. After the Tri Nations he was off the 1999 Rugby World Cup
, where he played five matches for the Boks.
He was capped six times the following season, and after the Currie Cup, he moved back to the Free State Cheetahs for the 2001 season. He played two games for the Boks in 2001, both against France. The Boks lost the first Test, but won the second Test 20-15 in what would be Erasmus' last game for the Boks. When the Central Cheetahs were accepted into the Super 14
, Erasmus became their first ever coach in 2006.
With the Springboks falling to five losses in a row, some media sources speculated that Erasmus had been sounded out to take over from Jake White
, or at least become involved in some form. Erasmus has thus far denied that he ever received a call from SA Rugby.http://www.rugbyheaven.smh.com.au/articles/2006/08/28/1156617262372.html
Stormers
The Stormers, for sponsorship reasons referred to as DHL Stormers, are a South African rugby union team based in Cape Town competing in the Super Rugby competition . Despite their lack of silverware over the years, their home stadium, Newlands, typically draws the highest average attendance figures...
rugby franchise in South Africa. Erasmus played mainly as a flanker for the Springboks
South Africa national rugby union team
The South African national rugby union team are 2009 British and Irish Lions Series winners. They are currently ranked as the fourth best team in the IRB World Rankings and were named 2008 World Team of the Year at the prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards.Although South Africa was instrumental...
at international level, for the Free State Cheetahs
Free State Cheetahs
The Free State Cheetahs , currently named the Toyota Free State Cheetahs, for sponsorship reasons, are a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup tournament. They are governed by the Free State Rugby Union and are based at the 37,076-capacity Vodacom Park in...
and the Golden Lions
Golden Lions
The Golden Lions is a provincial rugby team based in Johannesburg, South Africa. The team was originally known as Transvaal, before changes to the political landscape in South Africa forced a name change to the Gauteng Lions, before again being changed to the Golden Lions. For sponsorship reason...
in the Currie Cup
Currie Cup
The Currie Cup tournament is South Africa's premier domestic rugby union competition, played each winter and spring , featuring teams representing either entire provinces or substantial regions within provinces...
, and for the Cats in the Super 12
Super 14
Super Rugby is the largest and pre-eminent professional Rugby union competition in the Southern Hemisphere...
. He served as captain of the Cats, leading them to the 2000 Super 12 semifinals, and also captained the Springboks once.
Erasmus started his professional rugby career with the Free State in the Currie Cup. By 1997 he had been called up for national duties with the Springboks, and made his debut on 5 July against the British and Irish Lions
British and Irish Lions
The British and Irish Lions is a rugby union team made up of players from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales...
in Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
, which the home side won 35-16. In his next match for the Springboks, on 23 August that same year, Erasmus played the Wallabies, starting at flank, and scoring a try for South Africa in only his second match, which the Boks went onto to win 61-22 in Pretoria
Pretoria
Pretoria is a city located in the northern part of Gauteng Province, South Africa. It is one of the country's three capital cities, serving as the executive and de facto national capital; the others are Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Bloemfontein, the judicial capital.Pretoria is...
. In November he played another four games for the Boks, scoring tries against Italy and France as well.
Erasmus had firmly established himself as a starting flanker for the Boks by the time the international season had come about in 1998. He played three tests prior to the beginning of the Tri Nations that year, playing Ireland twice, and Wales once, scoring a try in two games. He played in three Tri Nations games that year, in the wins over the Wallabies and All Blacks. He earned another four international caps at the end of the year, playing each of the home nations teams.
In 1999 Erasmus moved to the Golden Lions in the Currie Cup. That season, after being capped three times prior to the Tri Nations, he skippered the side in the match against the Wallabies in Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
, though the Boks lost 32-6. After the Tri Nations he was off the 1999 Rugby World Cup
Rugby World Cup
The Rugby World Cup is an international rugby union competition organised by the International Rugby Board and held every four years since 1987....
, where he played five matches for the Boks.
He was capped six times the following season, and after the Currie Cup, he moved back to the Free State Cheetahs for the 2001 season. He played two games for the Boks in 2001, both against France. The Boks lost the first Test, but won the second Test 20-15 in what would be Erasmus' last game for the Boks. When the Central Cheetahs were accepted into the Super 14
Super 14
Super Rugby is the largest and pre-eminent professional Rugby union competition in the Southern Hemisphere...
, Erasmus became their first ever coach in 2006.
With the Springboks falling to five losses in a row, some media sources speculated that Erasmus had been sounded out to take over from Jake White
Jake White
Jake White is a rugby union coach and former coach of the South Africa national rugby union team, the Springboks. His most notable achievements as coach include leading the Springboks to victory in 2007 Rugby World Cup and the 2004 Tri Nations title...
, or at least become involved in some form. Erasmus has thus far denied that he ever received a call from SA Rugby.http://www.rugbyheaven.smh.com.au/articles/2006/08/28/1156617262372.html