Rassie+

Rassie Erasmus sits down with three of South Africa's most experienced rugby journalists, Percival Young, Simnikiwe Xabanisa, and Louis de Villiers, for a conversation that's never happened on camera before.From a time when Rapport was the Bible of Springbok rugby and coaches feared every headline, to the "Stronger Together" philosophy that changed how the Boks work with the media, Rassie opens up about what he got wrong early in his career, why he banned journalists from Stormers training sessions, and what finally made the light go on before the 2019 World Cup. The journalists fire back with touring war stories, the ethics of scoops, how clickbait culture is killing real sports writing, and why the questions no one is brave enough to ask produce the best stories.Brought to you by Castle Lager. #DlalaCastle 0:00 Cold open: "I really saw the media as the enemy" 1:06 Rassie introduces the concept and the guests 2:52 Percy's story: Athlone, Wheels Rugby Club, and choosing journalism over playing 4:59 Simnikiwe's story: from Bisho to News24, learning rugby from scratch at a model-C school 6:49 Louis de Villiers introduction 8:19 When Rapport was the Bible: how newspapers formed everyone's opinions 9:46 Rassie on authenticity in journalism: "You say it as you saw it" 11:13 Rassie arrives in Cape Town and gets overwhelmed by the media 11:35 "We drafted a protocol: no media at training." Rassie admits the mistake 12:03 Percy's first scoop: Rassie accidentally leaks his assistant coach appointment 13:49 "The headline was big, racy, front page." Percy's career takes off 15:05 First time at Newlands: sitting pitchside, smelling the grass, hearing the boots 16:13 How do scoops actually work? The inside mechanics of rugby journalism 19:10 When journalists used to go for beers with players 20:41 Touring war stories: the Dublin bar fight, lost luggage in France, and 45 CDs in Marseille 26:39 Scoops vs. storytelling: the tension between breaking news and good writing 28:54 Clickbait culture: "I write 1500 words and the new jersey gets ten times the clicks" 31:15 Why players hate clickbait headlines with nothing behind them 32:57 Rapport as the Bible of Afrikaans rugby: how parents ran to the shops every Sunday 34:18 How journalism shifted from print to online to social media 34:58 Percy's press conference philosophy: find the human side first 36:10 Vocal Louw and the question about losing his father 36:30 "Sometimes you ask the questions no one is brave enough to ask" 38:56 Stronger Together: readers are your real employer 40:57 What coaches handle that fans never see: personal crises, selection, and trust 42:39 Why Rassie sometimes can't explain why a player wasn't picked 44:31 Touring with the Springboks: the fire alarm in Swansea 48:32 Run-ins with coaches: Harry Viljoen screams in the hotel lift 50:09 "Peter de Villiers was probably the right coach for that team at that time" 53:10 When a leaked injury story broke trust, and Rassie apologised 54:59 Bob Skinstad's debut as captain and the line that followed him for years 57:59 Springbok tattoos: "The artist wasn't great. It doesn't look like a springbok." 59:07 Percy's career shift: from tabloid journalism to broadcasting at eNCA 59:28 The 2019 turning point: "I had to change my way of thinking around the media" 1:01:34 Building a culture of honesty between the Boks and the press 1:03:06 Why Rassie announces the team on Monday, not Thursday. It's not mind games. 1:06:28 How social media changed everything: why Rassie got on it in the first place 1:08:50 Social media grew the game from 7 million to 18 million fans, but it's brutal on players 1:10:13 Percy: "People mocked my head shape. Now I'm sitting with the best rugby coach in the world." #Rassie + #Springboks #RassieErasmus #SARugby #RugbyJournalism #StrongerTogether #CastleLager #DlalaCastle

Siya Kolisi and Rassie Erasmus sit down for a conversation most coaches and captains would never have on camera.From Rassie scouting an 18 year old Siya for the Stormers, to the 2019 World Cup final, to what transformation really felt like for black players inside the system, this is raw, honest, and unlike anything you have heard from either of them before.0:00 Introduction: two South African icons, one honest conversation3:00 How Rassie and Siya first started working together5:30 Siya at 18: "naughty, raw, and he could have thrown me away"6:54 The moment Rassie came back and made Siya Springbok captain8:20 Why honesty in the team environment is a skill, not a given12:17 Favourite mistakes: "I regret all of them"19:21 What is on their minds right now: family, fatherhood, the World Cup26:33 Does Siya still love rugby after everything?31:35 Life after rugby and knowing when to walk away37:13 Social media, fan noise, and how players actually get picked44:53 Leading young players through the TikTok era49:07 "What does Rassie mean to you?" Siya answers, and it gets emotional50:29 Transformation, quotas, and what it really did to black players58:13 Why Siya does not take full credit: "I play a team sport"59:02 The pressure point system: every Springbok owns a responsibility1:03:14 Luck, bold moves, and why embarrassing someone for what they cannot control is unforgivable1:07:34 "Playing a game is not pressure. The struggles that were supposed to break you, that is pressure."1:25:23 Rassie's biggest fear: the togetherness going away when the winning stops1:31:54 What the Springboks give South Africa beyond the scoreboard1:36:49 What they hope for the future of the country1:44:59 Closing: "It is really simple. Build a strong environment where people care for each other."#Rassie+ #SiyaKolisi #RassieErasmus #SpringbokRugby #WorldCup

Rassie Erasmus sits down with the South African backbone of the Springbok support staff. After meeting the Foreign Legion, it's time to meet the local heroes: the men who grew up in townships, jumped fences to play rugby, took trains to interviews, and in one case spent a year in prison for fighting apartheid. From operations to logistics to match day chaos, these are the people who make sure the Springboks actually get on the field. All on the Rassie + Podcast 00:00 Intro and cold open00:43 What is this episode about?01:11 Rassie introduces the South African support staff01:53 "You guys finished the Foreign Legion, now it's the locals"02:54 Growing up in Joburg, jumping fences to play rugby03:41 Craven Week, first time on a plane, and six hard boiled eggs05:11 Under 19 Junior World Cup in Lyon05:40 The 500 rand a month contract06:27 From player to operations and why it matters07:05 Only 950 Springboks in history07:59 Born in East London, moved to Joburg, fell in love with rugby10:03 1995 and the World Cup that changed everything11:07 Coaching in Soweto and realizing "I'm not that great"12:41 Waiting nine years for the Springbok opportunity14:03 Careers in rugby beyond playing15:30 "The players are nothing without the support staff"16:20 Growing up in Graaff-Reinet, where rugby was the only option17:50 The Swallows and playing under apartheid's nonracial rugby19:27 Teaching history, economics, and languages20:22 The struggle, gangsterism, and different walks of life21:18 Detained in 1986 and a year in prison for the cause22:18 Running from town to town, a wife holding the family together22:46 Moving into rugby administration through trial and error24:15 Answering a newspaper ad for a driver25:39 "The best job of my life"27:17 JJ's World Cup 2011 call up as a last minute stand in30:00 The upside down Springbok logo on the scrum machine33:05 "Mindset change" and faking it under pressure35:11 Nobody has all the answers, even the coaches36:36 The stress players don't see37:25 Waking up at 2am to check if the radios are charged38:39 The relief when you finally get the result39:33 Visa disasters and arriving in France without valid papers40:46 Long term planning and building embassy relationships41:46 Rassie doesn't pick the team alone42:30 The 2019 World Cup final and the last unused substitute43:41 Blood substitutions, clear communication, and hard words44:04 The water carrier incident and buying time with a laptop45:17 Missing warmup jerseys at the 2019 World Cup in Japan46:12 Finding love inside SA Rugby47:20 "Next episode we'll talk about the traditional wedding"

Rassie Erasmus sits down with his coaching team for the first time ever on camera. Meet Andy Edwards, Gerry Flannery, Tony Brown, and Felix Jones, the group known inside camp as "The Foreign Legion." An Englishman, two Irishmen, and a New Zealander who left everything behind to help build the most dominant Springbok era in history. From random WhatsApp calls during Covid lockdown to winning back to back World Cups, this is the story of how trust, alignment, and authenticity created something special.Brought to you by Castle Lager.00:00 What is Plus?01:53 Meet Andy Edwards, from north London to Cape Town03:18 The Saracens and Munster rivalry04:18 The Covid WhatsApp call that changed everything05:36 Gerry Flannery, from Limerick pubs to Springbok defense07:19 Going back to Munster after Arsenal09:10 The Flannery family bar empire11:15 Tony Brown, from deep south New Zealand to Japan13:05 Coaching Japan at two World Cups14:52 Why diverse coaching backgrounds matter18:59 Felix Jones, Dublin to Munster to the Springboks22:20 How Rassie recruited Felix over a laptop in a hotel25:36 The reality of player coaching29:48 Job insecurity in professional coaching36:19 Why players are your biggest CV39:10 The Foreign Legion and camp culture43:18 AI in rugby and why Rassie is skeptical46:13 Building a high performance system from scratch49:15 Arrogance, creativity, and leadership53:16 Alignment: the one thing that breeds success57:37 The hardest part of coaching, being yourself59:19 Authenticity over everything

In Episode 3 of A Rassie+ Special: The Shape of the Game, Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus and his coaching team focus on one of rugby union’s most unique and misunderstood contests: the maul.They unpack why rugby shouldn’t “fix” the game by changing its fundamentals — and why scrums and mauls must remain protected contests, not replaced by shortcuts like free kicks.A major focus of this episode is the growing grey area around maul defence — particularly the difference between pushing, pulling, and dragging, and how unclear interpretation creates confusion for:• referees trying to make decisions in real time• fans trying to understand what’s legal• coaches trying to build a fair contestThe episode also explores referee pressure, the role of the TMO, and why rugby must prioritise accuracy, fairness and safety before spectacle.

In Episode 2 of A Rassie+ Special on the Shape of the Game, Rassie Erasmus and his coaching staff discuss the power of choice in rugby — and why managing the contest is at the heart of the sport.From scrums, mauls and breakdowns to kicking battles and selection strategy, this episode explores how rugby stays rugby when teams are free to play different styles — while still being governed by fairness, safety and contest.

In Episode 1 of A Rassie+ Special: The Shape of the Game, Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus sits down with his coaching team to unpack one of the most important — and misunderstood — documents in rugby: the World Rugby Charter. As proposed law changes spark global debate, this episode explores what truly defines rugby union: contest, fairness, safety, and a game for all shapes and sizes. From aerial contests and scrums to refereeing pressure and player welfare, the discussion asks a critical question — are we protecting rugby’s identity, or slowly eroding it?This is not about telling fans what to think. It’s about informing the rugby public, sparking healthy debate, and understanding how the laws should serve the game — not redefine it. 🎙️ Episode 1 of a 3-part Rassie+ A Shape of The Game series. #Rugby #RugbyUnion #WorldRugby #RugbyLaws #RugbyCharter #SpiritOfTheGame #RassieErasmus #Springboks #BokRugby #RugbyAnalysis #RugbyDebate #TheShapeOfTheGame #RugbySafety #RugbyFuture #RassiePlus #Smashboards #SmashSports

In the season finale of Rassie+, we go deep with one of South Africa’s most electrifying wings — Breyton Paulse.Born and raised in Boland on a farm, Breyton reflects on life as a small-town kid with big dreams, breaking through the barriers of expectation in a game that wasn’t always built for him.He opens up about the emotional toll of being labelled a “quota player” — and how that word shaped conversations in South African rugby for years.From standing out as a smaller player in a game dominated by size, to his iconic flick flack celebration (with Rassie’s unexpected contribution), this episode is filled with heart, honesty, and history.🎁 Final GiveawayTo thank you for watching the season, Rassie is giving away 5 signed books to the top 5 most liked comments on this episode. ✅ Subscribe💬 Comment👍 Get those likes!

In this episode of Rassie+ , Rassie sits down with the legendary big man of South African rugby, Os du Randt — the man fans have been begging to see on the show. Os opens up about how he earned his iconic nickname, his role in what many call the "original Bomb Squad," back in 2005 and the unconventional (and hilarious) ways his father toughened him up for the front row — including carrying heavy loads and literally having to stand on his head to make his neck strong. It's a raw, funny, and inspiring chat with one of South African rugby’s most loved figures.

Rassie Erasmus and Nick Mallett — two giants of South African rugby with a complicated history.From coach and player to critic and strategist, their relationship has played out in the public eye with no shortage of headlines.Now, for the first time, they come together — not to settle scores, but to share stories, perspectives, and a deeper understanding of the game they both love.It’s honest, it’s surprising, and it’s a moment South African rugby fans didn’t see coming.#RassiePlus #NickMallett #SmashSports #Springboks #SouthAfricanRugby

In this episode of Rassie+ , Rassie Erasmus is joined by scrum guru, former Springbok, and the man behind the iconic bucket hat — Daan Human. From humble beginnings on a Free State farm to the frontlines of France’s rugby powerhouses, Daan shares his remarkable journey through the world of rugby. They unpack everything from Daan’s love-hate relationship with scrum machines, his transition from player to coach, and the art (and chaos) of scrumming in modern rugby. It’s a raw, insightful, and often hilarious conversation between two of rugby’s sharpest minds. Whether you’re a front-row fanatic or just love hearing the stories behind South Africa’s rugby legends, this one’s for you. Subscribe, like, and let us know your favourite Daan Human moment in the comments below

From Despatch to Bloemfontein — in this special episode of Rassie+, Rassie Erasmus sits down with two Free State rugby legends: Jaco Peyper and Helgard Müller. They dive deep into the golden era of Cheetahs rugby, reliving the journey of breaking a 29-year title drought, and the transition from player to coach. Rassie and Jaco share hilarious stories from their varsity days — including when Jaco used to ref Rassie’s games (and wasn’t afraid to blow the whistle against him!). This episode is packed with behind-the-scenes insights, untold stories, and plenty of laughs from three men who helped define Free State rugby. Watch now and don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to Smash Sports for more episodes of Rassie+.

The Rassie+ episode you've all been waiting for is finally here. Rugby icon Danie Gerber joins Rassie Erasmus for an unfiltered conversation about his legendary career, and the rich history and legacy of South African rugby — as told by two proud Despatchers.For weeks, fans have been asking for Danie — and now, we deliver.🟢Make sure to subscribe for more exclusive conversations with South African rugby legends.#RassiePlus #DanieGerber #Springboks #SmashSports #RassieErasmus

In Part 2 of Rassie + with Steven Kitshoff, we wrap up a powerful conversation with the Bok legend. Kitshoff opens up about the origins of the Bomb Squad, the unforgettable win against New Zealand at Wellington, and what it meant to play under Rassie Erasmus. Rassie also shares his ideas on a dedicated scrum referee the injury that changed his rugby career, and reflects on South Africa’s Rugby World Cup victories — while giving full credit to the All Blacks as worthy opponents. 👉 Subscribe for more episodes of Rassie+ powered by Smash Sports. #RassiePlus #StevenKitshoff #Springboks #BombSquad #RWC

In this episode of Rassie+ , Rassie Erasmus hosts an insightful discussion with Springbok prop Steven Kitshoff and renowned sports physician Dr. Jon Patricios . Kitshoff reflects on his career-threatening injury and how it impacted his journey, while Dr. Patricios provides a medical perspective on managing injuries and guiding players through high-performance careers. They also break down the evolution of the Bomb Squad formation and discuss the growing trend of South African players moving overseas .This is Part 1 of a 2-part series. Don’t miss Part 2 next week for even more insights and behind-the-scenes stories.

In this episode of Rassie+, we sit down with Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick for an in-depth conversation about the untold stories behind the Springboks' journey to World Cup glory.Stick reveals how Rassie Erasmus almost didn’t select Makazole Mapimpi, the challenges they faced in their coaching careers, and how they overcame personal struggles together. He also reflects on the 2019 Rugby World Cup final win against England, the unique cultures within the Springboks squad, and the biggest coaching lessons learned along the way.

Rassie Erasmus is back with something special! Welcome to Rassie+, the ultimate platform where South Africa’s legendary coach goes beyond the game.In our first episode, we sit down with Felix Jones, who has officially returned to the Springboks setup! From his journey with Ireland to his comeback in green and gold, Felix shares exclusive insights into his coaching philosophy and World Cup memories.