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Hendrik Cronjé
Bloemfontein – Full marks to Peter de Villiers for being prepared to add some experts to his management team.
“It is a masterstroke to bring Rassie Erasmus on board,” said former Springbok and Cheetahs flank André Venter.
Erasmus, who is currently the director of coaching at Western Province, and fitness expert Derik Coetzee were recently named as additional members of the World Cup management team.
“You will struggle to find someone technically and tactically better than Rassie. His appointment can be worth a lot. Jake White already brought Rassie on board prior to the 2007 World Cup – and four years down the line he will be even more experienced,” said Venter.
“There are few people who can analyse the game as well as Rassie and that gives the team a new dimension.”
Venter added that the Bok coach had to be complimented for the appointments.
“Peter has showed that he does not consider himself too big or too good to get input from outside. One can look back to all the World Cup teams – all the coaches got consultants on board,” he said.
“A good coach is someone who can spot the positive contributions of his management team and apply it (to the team’s advantage).”
Venter said that it was unfortunate for De Villiers that people would credit Erasmus if the Boks succeeded in defending their title.
“If the Boks lose it will be the coach’s fault. It’s a fact that some people do the hard work behind the scenes and will never get the necessary credit.”
The appointment of Coetzee is also positive as he was part of the management that won the last World Cup under Jake White as head coach.
Venter believes that De Villiers should not hesitate to approach other experts like former Bok captain Francois Pienaar and White for advice.
“Nobody has to know who he approached for advice. Francois and Jake both have a lot to offer.”
Pienaar was captain of the Bok team that won the World Cup in 1995. He also contributed to building up English club side Saracens and is the brain behind the Varsity Cup.
Bloemfontein – Full marks to Peter de Villiers for being prepared to add some experts to his management team.
“It is a masterstroke to bring Rassie Erasmus on board,” said former Springbok and Cheetahs flank André Venter.
Erasmus, who is currently the director of coaching at Western Province, and fitness expert Derik Coetzee were recently named as additional members of the World Cup management team.
“You will struggle to find someone technically and tactically better than Rassie. His appointment can be worth a lot. Jake White already brought Rassie on board prior to the 2007 World Cup – and four years down the line he will be even more experienced,” said Venter.
“There are few people who can analyse the game as well as Rassie and that gives the team a new dimension.”
Venter added that the Bok coach had to be complimented for the appointments.
“Peter has showed that he does not consider himself too big or too good to get input from outside. One can look back to all the World Cup teams – all the coaches got consultants on board,” he said.
“A good coach is someone who can spot the positive contributions of his management team and apply it (to the team’s advantage).”
Venter said that it was unfortunate for De Villiers that people would credit Erasmus if the Boks succeeded in defending their title.
“If the Boks lose it will be the coach’s fault. It’s a fact that some people do the hard work behind the scenes and will never get the necessary credit.”
The appointment of Coetzee is also positive as he was part of the management that won the last World Cup under Jake White as head coach.
Venter believes that De Villiers should not hesitate to approach other experts like former Bok captain Francois Pienaar and White for advice.
“Nobody has to know who he approached for advice. Francois and Jake both have a lot to offer.”
Pienaar was captain of the Bok team that won the World Cup in 1995. He also contributed to building up English club side Saracens and is the brain behind the Varsity Cup.
