Rassie Erasmus backs plans for South Africa to join the Six Nations and says England fans wouldn’t want him as coach
SOUTH AFRICA rugby coach Rassie Erasmus has revealed plans for his country to join the Six Nations.
England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France and Italy currently make up the teams involved in the annual competition.
But Erasmus feels there is scope to include South Africa in the tournament, meaning they would become the first non-European side to be involved.
Speaking to The Mail, he said: “Just remember. this is purely my own personal opinion. I don’t need to get myself into any more trouble!
“I’ve always been a massive fan of the Six Nations. Murrayfield is awesome, the Aviva is awesome, Twickenham is awesome. I love the atmospheres and their rich tradition of singing.
“Speaking from the South African side of the fence, I would love to see the Springboks in the Six Nations. The style of play, the travel and the time zones would all suit South Africa.
“You could fly in overnight on Thursday, play on a Saturday and fly back on Sunday. It would be easy. When we go to Australia or New Zealand, you wake up at 2am and don’t know what day it is!
“We are locked in with the Rugby Championship until 2025, so for now it is still hypothetical. Just please don’t mistake this for me saying the Rugby Championship is bad. I love New Zealand, I love Australia and I love Argentina. Gus Pichot is a legend.
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“If someone with proper research showed me that South Africa joining the Six Nations would make the Rugby Championship weaker and damage the growth of the global game, then we shouldn’t do it.
“But right now, speaking as a South African, I think joining the Six Nations would be awesome.”
The 49-year-old hit the headlines last summer when he launched an astonishing rant about referees during the Lions’ three-match Test series against the Springboks.
South Africa won the closely fought series 2-1.
And Erasmus landed himself in more hot water when allegations emerged that he was running a fake Twitter account in a bid to put pressure on the Lions.
His relationship with British rugby fans has been strained as a result of those actions.
But he is still open to the idea of coaching England in the future, although he recognises the country’s fans may not be so receptive to the idea.
“I don’t think the English people would ever want me there now,” he added.
“Maybe I am wrong. I hope I am wrong. Would I coach another country? If my own people were cool with it and the other country’s people were cool with it then why not?
“But if my own people are going to hate me for it, then I would never do it. I hate the fact that so many people hate me in rugby right now. I’m not a confrontational guy. I like to get on with people.
“South Africa has my heart but coaching England would be amazing because I think they can win. I would love to coach Ellis Genge.
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“Any prop that looks the other prop in the eyes before a scrum, you know he’s a dog. You don’t want a prop that’s looking at his toes, scared. I want guys like Genge on my team.
“If South Africans accepted me doing that, like when Nick Mallett went to coach Italy, then of course I would love it. If I felt like South Africans were not going to hate me on the street then I would consider it.
“A couple of years ago, people would have said, ‘Go over there now, make a few pounds and be successful’. Things changed last year. Life is a bit different now.”