With the Boks a year out from a World Cup three-peat bid, Erasmus has opened up on what sustains his motivation through what is already the most decorated coaching tenure in South African rugby history. His answer is revealing: it isn't fear of losing games — he's matter-of-fact about those happening — but fear of losing the sense of national togetherness the Springbok programme currently generates. That collective feeling, he says, is what gives him the adrenaline rush that keeps him working. He also speaks candidly about the off-season disconnect from camp, and why returning to the squad environment feels like coming home after months of virtual planning and franchise visits. For a coach now contracted through to 2031, understanding the psychological engine behind his commitment matters — and it turns out it's less about trophies than it is about what those trophies mean to South Africans.
Fear of losing the feeling, not the scoreboard — what really drives Rassie
Erasmus reveals his core motivation isn't avoiding defeat but preserving the sense of national unity the Springbok programme has built — a candid insight into the mindset driving the three-peat bid.
- Springboks
- Rassie Erasmus
- Rugby World Cup
So how deep is the Springbok squad?
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