Rassie And Eddie Ready To Lock Horns

Two-time World Cup-winning coach Rassie Erasmus is viewed by many as a brilliant innovator – his methods unorthodox and sometimes controversial (if you speak to any non Springbok fan) – however, it is through his brilliance, success, and penchant to go against the grain that he shares a frosty relationship with those in the North, fans and pundits alike.

Not one to take things lightly, he often challenges the powers that be and the status quo, which is why World Rugby urged him to work with the governing body rather than criticize officials in public earlier in the year.

On the other end, you have Eddie Jones – an equally polarising figure in the game who shares the extreme competitiveness, relentless work ethic, and high standards as Erasmus.

Both are regarded as tactical masterminds with deep understandings of the game and strategic minds. 

Unsurprisingly, then, while scribes attempted to drum up a rivalry fused in bitterness, Erasmus moved swiftly to diffuse this.

Of Jones, Erasmus said, “My first interaction with Eddie was when I was with the 2007 World Cup team before they were going to leave, and I was working with them, and then I got the Stormers job, and then Eddie took over from me. I was there for about three or four matches with him in a training camp in Cape Town, and we were there. That was the first time we really started exchanging rugby talk and so on. I like that Eddie speaks his mind, and I have lots of respect for him.” Erasmus added that when he got banned by World Rugby, it was Jones who picked up the phone, called him, and offered him words of encouragement and support. 

Jones has previously stated that Rassie’s understanding of the laws of rugby was exceptional and that he hopes they can enjoy a glass of wine following the game. To this, Erasmus laughed, saying, “We only have wine when we win, so if he (Jones) wants to have wine, he must allow us to win,” to the bemusement of Kurt-Lee Arendse sitting alongside him.  

Despite playing each other on three occasions, when casting the mind to the Springboks and The Cherry Blossoms, it’s easy to ponder on the 34-32 Japanese victory at the Amex Stadium in Brighton at the 2015 Rugby World Cup. A result that reverberated around the rugby world and is largely thought of as the greatest upset in rugby history.

When posed the question on where he was and how he felt about the 2015 World Cup encounter, Erasmus sought to change course: “We’ve played them twice since. Of course, it was a massive win for Japan, but we are all part of history-making moments.” 

The Springbok coach went on to reference the Boks’ first-ever defeat to Wales when he was still a player, as well as the defeat at home to Australia at Ellis Park in this year’s Rugby Championship. 

He added, “We cannot run away from how well they (Japan) did that day.” Specifying where exactly he was during that game, Erasmus added, “I was in my bar at home watching the game.”

Erasmus and Jones have a professional relationship rooted in mutual respect and occasional rivalry, and despite their competitive history, have spoken highly of each other’s intellect and abilities.  

The game takes place at the fabled Wembley Stadium in London, and Jones appeared rather bullish of his side’s chances , saying beating the Springboks there would be on a par with “the Coldplay concerts” there.

“Wembley’s a good stadium to do it at,” said the Australian.

“Imagine beating South Africa at Wembley. That would be iconic.”

Article by Riaz Hamed