AnalysisGeneralSA Rugby Mag30 Apr

Hansen: Stop trying to copy Rassie — it won't work

Steve Hansen argues that the rugby world's obsession with copying Rassie's Springbok formula is misguided — and explains why imitation won't get rival teams where they want to go.

Steve Hansen is pushing back against what he sees as a growing trend of teams trying to clone the Springbok blueprint. His argument, in essence: the rugby world has become so fixated on replicating Erasmus's formula that coaches are losing sight of building systems that suit their own personnel and cultures.

The piece is light on detail from the snippet available, but Hansen's broader point carries weight — the Bok model is built on a very specific player pool, defensive philosophy, and set-piece dominance that isn't simply transferable. For Springbok supporters interested in how their team's success is reshaping global coaching thinking, it's worth the read.

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Rassie Erasmus
Springboks

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Irish TV personality Gráinne Seoige tells the Lekker Rugby Pod that walking into Loftus for the 2024 Ireland test was the most intimidating rugby atmosphere she has ever experienced, and argues that Rassie Erasmus's cultural transformation of Springbok rugby is a bigger achievement than the World Cup wins.

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Stephen Donald: Robertson copied the Boks — Rennie must go back to All Blacks DNA

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Hansen: Stop Trying to Be Rassie

Steve Hansen warns that the rugby world's obsession with copying Rassie Erasmus' Springbok blueprint is stifling tactical innovation across the game.

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