When Rassie Erasmus was appointed coach of the Springboks he successfully addressed the rather large transformation elephant in the room.
FILE - Springboks captain Siya Kolisi helps coach Rassie Erasmus adjust his robes before a North-West University capping ceremony where Erasmus was awarded an honorary doctorate. Picture: SuppliedThe All Blacks and their Super Rugby teams have always enjoyed good support in the Mother City, especially in the coloured communities.
But the make-up of Springboks teams remained the biggest reason, as the slow pace of transformation after Apartheid ended saw many supporters staying committed to the All Blacks instead of the country of their birth.Transformation was never properly addressed at the Springboks’ level, with the Springboks playing the odd wing or two as the only player/s of colour in the team for a long time.
But Erasmus changed the game with his openness and honestly. He speaks about transformation not as a burden, but as an opportunity to unlock the rugby-playing potential that more than 80% of the population has to offer. Captain Siya Kolisi, who was appointed by Erasmus in 2018 to lead the Springboks, on Friday spoke about Erasmus’ man-management skills. And how the coach managed to get the best out of him as a leader.
“You can't just put people in and when they have one bad game, and you never see them again,” Kolisi added. "They've been open about transformation whereas, in the past, it was hidden. You didn't know where you stood. Honesty is very important for every player, and as a player, you don't wonder and you buy into it.
Siya Kolisi Rassie Erasmus All Blacks Springboks Rugby Cape Town Stadium
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