Rassie Erasmus would be a compelling choice for Ireland regardless of how far they get at the Rugby World Cup… the master planner is never dull and boasts an enviable track record
Sound bites on podcasts should be taken with a grain of salt. It is a medium full of rumors, hearsay and no shortage of speculation.
Victor Matfield’s recent comments on the apparent imminent appointment of Rassie Erasmus as David Nucifora’s successor should therefore be taken with caution.
For the record, this is what the former Springbok lock told The Rugby Pod earlier this week.
“It looks like Rassie is going,” Matfield said of Erasmus taking on the role of IRFU performance director next year.
“Maybe he’ll stay for a few months to get everything in place.” But knowing Rassie, knowing Jacques (knowing Nienaber), those two do everything together.
Rassie Erasmus would certainly be a compelling choice for Ireland’s next performance director
After winning the 2019 World Cup in South Africa, it is difficult to argue with his record
‘So I think the chance of him going to Ireland is close to 90 to 95 percent. The two always work together.’
Perhaps Matfield has an accurate assessment of the South African supremo’s next move, but it sounds like a hunch based on Nienaber’s working with the Leinster coaching team after the World Cup.
Whether there is any basis for this Erasmus rumor or not, it would be a fascinating move for both parties.
Erasmus can be a divisive figure. There are still plenty of people in Munster who still feel a little lukewarm about the South African support following his premature departure from the province. However, there is no disputing his track record.
And with Nucifora set to step aside in 2024 after a decade at the top – arguably the most influential role in Irish rugby – the IRFU is looking for a high-caliber candidate.
In terms of CV, Erasmus meets expectations. Indeed, he could be the figure to derail Ireland’s World Cup campaign next weekend. That meeting in Group B in Paris now threatens to become a big one.
The big concern is that Erasmus has formulated a plan to destroy Andy Farrell’s side at the Stade de France. Erasmus always has a plan. Park all the sideshows around these tweets, the traffic lights and the suspensions, this is one of the smartest operators in the game.
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You wouldn’t bet on him leading the Boks to back-to-back World Cups as the weeks go by, either. The perfect way to sign off before heading back to Ireland to take care of some unfinished business?
Time will tell on both fronts. It would be fitting if Nienaber brings some much-needed Springbok steel to the Leinster ranks and helps the province clinch the coveted Champions Cup in the coming seasons.
It would be appropriate for Erasmus to return to Ireland and oversee the restructuring of the system, which could finally see the national team get deep into the knockout stages of the World Cup.
Again, we are dealing with hypotheses here. But the case for Erasmus as the IRFU’s next performance director is compelling. It certainly wouldn’t be boring.
Ireland could build on a groundbreaking legacy or rebuild from the ruins of another failed campaign. Either way, the IRFU needs great character to move the game forward. Erasmus meets many requirements.
One thing is certain: he is poised to have a major impact on Ireland’s chances at the World Cup. If recent rumors are to be believed, he could also have a big say in Ireland’s future plans.