Gio Aplon says SA Rugby shouldn’t have extended Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus’ contract through to the 2031 World Cup.
SA Rugby confirmed in December that Erasmus, who has guided the Boks to back-to-back World Cup titles in 2019 and 2023, had signed a new deal through to the global showpiece in the USA.
The 53-year-old has also led the Boks to a British & Irish Lions series win in 2021 and successive Rugby Championship titles, cementing his status the world’s best rugby coach.
But Aplon believes the long-term extension carries risks.
“No other person in the world would say what I’m saying now, and yes, Rassie is the best coach at the moment, but I wouldn’t have signed him post-2027,” the former Bok utility back said on the Behind the Ruck podcast.
“Is it ’27? I wouldn’t have signed him.
“Just for a renewal and it’s not personal, it’s not that he’s not good. I just think the ecosystem of sports needs something else with the type of players we’re playing now.
“Because remember, the [Springboks’] old guard is walking in front now. The old guard is carrying this flag. But as soon as they’re out of the way with this coaching style and this group being together as a coaching staff and whatever, there’s a new breed coming through that might complain like they [the All Blacks players] complained with Razor [Robertson].
“I’m not saying that’s going to happen but I’m very cautious with 2031. We haven’t even played this [2027] World Cup [yet] and we’ve given the job away.”
Aplon, who earned 17 Test caps from 2010 to 2012, also raised concerns about what the decision means for other South African coaches.
“For a local coach, where do you go? Like, for Dobbo [Stormers boss John Dobson], for Ackers [Bulls coach Johan Ackermann], for whoever’s here,” he said.
“What is your next step? Apart from [Bath boss] Johann van Graan, who’s kind of the next coach [in line]?
ALSO: Rennie’s All Blacks assistants revealed
“Look at the All Blacks. If they really wanted this, Pat Lam, there’s Andrew Goodman as an attack coach.
“They’ve got Dave Rennie. They’ve got Robbie Deans if they wanted to. They’ve got Jamie Joseph.
“So they’ve got all these coaches out there.
“It seems like our system is getting stuck here. And I’m afraid and I’m worried that we’re going to come to that era where when the next coach takes over, when it’s too late, we’re not going to have an identity. I’m just concerned.”
Photo: Xavier Laine/Getty Images
The post Ex-Bok questions Rassie’s contract extension appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Gio Aplon says SA Rugby shouldn’t have extended Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus’ contract through to the 2031 World Cup.
The post Ex-Bok questions Rassie’s contract extension appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
