Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus reveals his biggest fear in rugby
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Fear.
Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus has revealed that his biggest fear has nothing to do with losing rugby matches.
Speaking on the Rassie+ podcast, the two-time Rugby World Cup-winning coach admitted he is constantly thinking about how South Africa can stay ahead of the rest of the world, but said the thought that worries him most is the possibility of the bond between the Springboks and the South African public fading.
When asked what keeps him awake at night, Erasmus explained that he is always searching for ways to improve.
“Other people might not think about these things, but I do. I’m always asking, ‘Could this influence us? Could that influence us?’ Tomorrow morning we need another plan. Tomorrow evening we need another plan.”
However, the Springbok boss insisted that results are not what he fears most.
“One of my biggest fears is … it’s not of losing,” he said.
“I hate losing. Every Saturday I want us to win, but that’s not my biggest fear.
“It’s that feeling we spoke about – the satisfaction, the joy, that lekker feeling when we’re doing well, and people are happy, and we’re all smiling.
“I know we’re going to lose somewhere. Realistically, somewhere along the line we’re going to go through dips, or coaching changes, or whatever.
“I’m so afraid of that feeling going away – what it means for South Africans. I’m talking about that feeling when you stop at the petrol station, and someone gives you a high five. They’re not sucking up – they’re genuinely happy.
“I’m so nervous of that going away. That’s my biggest fear. That’s my nightmare.
“Not the tap on the shoulder, but losing the satisfaction of how it feels now.”
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi agreed with his coach’s assessment, reflecting on a period when the national team struggled to unite the country.
“For me, it’s because I know what it was like when [that feeling] wasn’t there. It was painful,” Kolisi said.
“Going to a stadium and seeing the seats empty when this is the team you’ve always dreamed of playing for … nobody wants to come and watch you, or they burn your jersey. That was a difficult period.
“What we give people now … it’s more about how happy people are.
“I see South Africans living in first-world countries saying they walk tall and talk proudly because of what this team is doing.”
