Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus and former Wales and British & Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland have walked a long road in the rugby world.
As coaching rivals, they were on opposite ends during a tense 2019 Rugby World Cup semi-final, where Erasmus’s Springboks edged Gatland’s Wales 19–16.
Two years later, they locked horns in a fiery 2021 British & Irish Lions series in South Africa. Marked by psychological warfare, media sparring, and physical attrition, Erasmus ultimately claimed bragging rights as the Springboks secured a dramatic 2–1 series triumph.
Despite these battles on and off the field, Gatland was full of praise for the Springbok boss when speaking to BOYLE Sports.
“You can’t deny the success that he (Rassie) has had with South Africa in terms of the two World Cups. He can wind people up every now and again with the way he handles the press, but he’s earned the right to be able to do that sort of stuff because he has been incredibly successful with a fantastic group of players.”
Gatland backs Rassie to lead the Springboks to another World Cup title
Gatland said he felt South Africa will be favourites for the 2027 World Cup, and also suggested it’s hard to look past them to win the Nations Championship.
“I think they (South Africa) will be favourites (for the 2027 World Cup). It depends on whether you lose one or two key players picking up injuries. I think a lot of those teams in the next twelve months will be working exceptionally hard to bridge that gap with South Africa.
“South Africa don’t have a lot of weaknesses. Great set piece, they’ve got some real attacking flair, some pace, and obviously big and physical. If you’re going to beat South Africa, it’s probably going to be in an arm wrestle and it’s going to be a tight game.
“But if you look, there have been improvements with Australia. The All Blacks, if they keep improving and getting depth, and England and France are always going to be competitive, and you can never write Argentina off either.
“Everyone’s talking about it possibly being an All Black-South Africa quarter-final, but that’s the hard thing complaining about the draw when it’s done. You just got to take it on the world rankings at the time. Other teams are probably thinking that gives them a better opportunity to potentially go a little bit further in the competition.”
Nations Championship conclusion on the horizon
The inaugural Nations Championship tournament will come to a conclusion in November, with the Springboks still facing four more Tests this year.
“I think it’d be hard to go past South Africa at the moment (to win the Nations Championship),” Gatland continued. “The All Blacks have a chance as well. I’m really looking forward to those games, the All Blacks-Wales and All Blacks-England. It’s great getting those six games in a weekend. I like the format, and hopefully we get some good crowds and some great rugby.”