Erasmus has been at the forefront of the Springboks’ success over the last seven years, which includes back-back-back World Cup victories.
Whether as a Director of Rugby or a head coach, Erasmus has created a strong culture of success in South African rugby and his support base is strong.
Erasmus is contracted until the end of 2027 and as that date draws nearer, there will be plenty of debates and discussions on potential succession plans.
In the latest episode of Boks Office, host Hanyani Shimange asked [hypothetically] if Franco Smith would be the ideal guy to take over after his success with Glasgow Warriors.
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“I guess the issue is whether Rassie is completely out of the system?” said Bok legend Schalk Burger.
“If Rassie moves to the director role, then someone within the Rassie camp will take over. If you say Rassie is completely done with the Springboks then we will start afresh.
“So, who is the next candidate? Franco is right at the top there and then there is Johan Ackermann.
“Frans Ludeke has won two Super Rugby [titles] and Johann van Graan is leading the Premiership with Bath and lost in the Final [last season].”
Fellow Bok legend Jean de Villiers mentioned a candidate within the current set-up.
“If you take the current group, remember they’ve got guys that are employed by SA Rugby.
“You can’t just put someone to the top and continue with the same guys. It needs to be a total clear-out.
“That is what we’ve seen within the system. They will groom guys and then bring them through.
“I think that is probably what would happen going forward.
“I think a guy like [Mzwandile] Stick, from all accounts and everything that I’ve heard from the camp, he is already taking a lot of responsibility and he has been in that environment for a very long time.
“And again, hypothetically, it is about what you want.
“Do you want continuity from that point of view or do you want to start afresh? Then let’s bring in someone from the outside.
Burger added:” If a guy like Rassie walks away now, the door will probably open for Jacques Nienaber again. You can’t rule out his return.
“We’ve never had a foreign head coach, but I wouldn’t put it past a Tony Brown stepping up to the role one day.”
“But Rassie is there and I can’t see him vacating that space. He’s had so much success.”
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