Ex-Ireland star hails ‘best coach I had’ Rassie Erasmus and hints at jealousy over Springboks innovations

Ex-Ireland star: ‘Incredible’ Rassie Erasmus ‘the best coach I ever had

Former Ireland international Simon Zebo has hailed Springboks boss Rassie Erasmus and cannot understand the ‘negative’ reaction to his innovations.

The 35-year-old knows the South Africa head coach very well having worked with him when they were together at Munster.

Although Erasmus left the province after just 18 months in the role to join SA Rugby, he made a significant impression on Zebo in that short period of time.

Another Boks great, Jacques Nienaber, was also part of that Munster brains trust in 2016 and 2017, and the ex-Test back three player realised their excellence very quickly.

‘You know winners when you’re working with them’

“He was the best coach I ever had. Himself and Jacques Nienaber were by far [the best]. I’ve never dealt with anybody, from a coaching perspective, as incredible as they are,” Zebo told the Behind the Ruck podcast

“They were by far the best I’ve lucky enough to deal with. Just their attention to detail, the psyche, the culture around the team and how that changed instantly.

“The demands on players, just everything. You just know winners when you’re working with them, and those two guys were two of the best.

Erasmus guided the Springboks to successive Rugby World Cup titles in 2019 and 2023, as well as a British and Irish Lions series, and in the process has become one of the most talked about people in the game.

There has been plenty of controversy, which has included bans for criticising officiating, with the 52-year-old always looking to push the boundaries.

The latest discussion point which has divided opinion came during the recent July Tests as the Boks brought some innovative tactics to the second Italy Test.

That included purposefully infringing from the kick-off in order to have an immediate scrum and lifting a player in the air lineout-style during phase play to set up a maul.

Zebo’s view on Rassie’s innovations

Many have praised the ingenuity while others have criticised it, but Zebo is very much in the former category, with the Irishman loving what Erasmus and the Boks are doing.

“I think it’s amazing, it’s innovative and it shows the intelligence of the man. I don’t know why people would take it negatively, it’s just because the Springboks are so good at set-piece or scrum or maul or lineout,” he said, suggesting there could be an element of jealousy from the critics.

“They’re clever enough to find ways to introduce that into the game, to get the game to be played on their terms – the way they want it played.

“I think it’s intelligent and long may it continue. I love watching the Springboks because of those guys; I’m a Springboks fan as well.”