Simone Burke

Erasmus has no less than six assistant coaches, one of whom is Irish coach, Felix Jones.

Jones is back in the fold, after a brief stint with England, which Erasmus maintains was not planned, but is helpful nonetheless.

Erasmus’ Bok tenure is largely based on statistics, best practice and the most current training methods. The two-time world champions are always on the lookout for the next tweak to their systems that can offer them an advantage. Getting Jones back from England means the Boks have inside information on a team they beat in the Rugby World Cup final in 2019, and in the semi-finals in 2023.

Erasmus, however, maintains that it wasn’t planned, as uprooting families for a team’s advantage is not part of the Bok ethos.

“He is moving his family also here for the whole period until the end of his contract. So, we never wanted to lose him. But it wasn’t planned that he went that side and just get info, but it is helpful, definitely helpful,” says Erasmus.

Alongside some of the best coaches in the world, like Jerry Flannery and Tony Brown, Erasmus is also a strong proponent of executing an active succession plan from player to coach.

Duane Vermeulen, the best eighthman of his generation, is finding his voice in the Bok coaching set-up.

“In the beginning it was difficult because you think you are still a bit part of the players, and then you don’t know if you are actually part of the coaches. It was welcoming from the coaches’ side but you kind of still feel like a player,” says Vermeulen.

The most important take-away from talking with the coaching staff is that there is no time to rest on the team’s laurels.

The Boks fielded more than 50 players last season, and that was after including some 80 of the country’s best talent in numerous coaching camps.

The whole process begins again this year, starting on Friday.

—SABC—