South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus to step down after World Cup Final against England

Springbok saviour: Rassie Eramus has overseen a huge resurgence from South Africa
AP
Will Macpherson31 October 2019

Rassie Erasmus has revealed that the World Cup Final will be his last Test as South Africa head coach.

The Springboks have enjoyed a huge upturn in fortunes under Erasmus as they bid to secure a third World Cup triumph.

He has taken on the dual role of coach and national director of rugby since early 2018 and will no longer have a hands-on role with the team after Saturday's showpiece in Yokohama.

“It’s probably my last Test match — it is my last Test match of being head coach,” Erasmus said. “It’s an emotional one. I didn’t think 25 Tests would go that quickly.”

Erasmus said he had thoroughly enjoyed his time in charge and it had given him renewed hope for the future of the Springboks.

“Me being involved again gives me such hope for what rugby can do for South Africa,” he added.

“I was one of those guys three years ago who said, ‘Let’s just play, boys. Stop talking about this hope thing because everybody is talking about it. Rugby is rugby and let’s just play’.

“But I’ve changed my mind. If we play the right way and with the passion, and the people can see it, it just helps people forget about their problems.

“We are trying to win for South Africa, and not just because they are supporters, but because our country needs a lot of things that we want to fix — and we want to help fix that.

“Whatever happens on Saturday, we have to make sure we use this for the next four, five, six, seven years, that it doesn’t get lost again, the positivity, what we get out of Saturday.”

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